Mario Balotelli was on target against his former teammates, as Manchester City beat Inter 3-0 in the Dublin Super Cup.
Mario Balotelli was on target against his former teammates, as Manchester City beat Inter 3-0 in the Dublin Super Cup.
Having beaten Celtic 2-0 on Saturday despite Thiago Motta's dismissal, the Nerazzurri returned Wesley Sneijder, Samuel Eto'o, Ricky Alvarez and Julio Cesar to the starting XI, though also included several youngsters.
Roberto Mancini's Manchester City also fielded their top stars, including Edin Dzeko and former Inter striker Balotelli.
Balotelli thought he had scored in the opening minute, but he was offside when he redirected David Silva's angled drive. Moments later he nodded over from six yards, as the cross was going behind him, then Julio Cesar needed a double save on Yaya Toure and Balotelli.
Man City had another goal disallowed for Dzeko's offensive position, though it was extremely tight. Dejan Stankovic and Eto'o had long-range efforts, while Dzeko stung Julio Cesar's palms.
On the stroke of half-time, Julio Cesar gave the ball away to his former teammate Balotelli, but recovered by parrying at the near post. However, from that corner kick, SuperMario soared for a powerful header from eight yards.
Manchester City doubled their lead at the dawn of the second half when David Silva threaded a wonderful through ball between the Inter defenders to send Dzeko clear.
Julio Cesar prevented a third a minute later from James Milner, but Joe Hart flew to palm a deflected Sneijder free kick out from under the crossbar. A spectacular Stankovic volley from the edge of the box skimmed the near post and another was charged down.
Sulley Ali Muntari's screamer whistled inches wide and Hart did well to pluck a dangerous Pazzini header off the line.
Manchester City secured the 3-0 victory, and the Dublin Super Cup, in stoppages when Shaun Wright-Phillips drew three defenders towards him and pulled back for the totally unmarked Adam Johnson to tap in.
City won the tournament with 12 points, followed by Celtic on eight and Inter five.
Inter 0-3 Man City
Scorers: Balotelli 45 (M), Dzeko 46 (M), Johnson 93 (M)
Inter: Julio Cesar; Ranocchia, Chivu, Caldirola (Natalino 69); Bianchetti, Stankovic (Mariga 75), Sneijder (Santon 75), Crisetig (Muntari 26); Alvarez (Pazzini 64), Eto'o, Pandev (Castaignos 53)
Manchester City: Hart; Richards, Lescott, Kompany, Kolarov (Rekik 87); Yaya Toure (Suarez 88), De Jong; Milner (Johnson 79), Silva (Barry 79), Balotelli (Wright-Phillips 74); Dzeko