Former Inter players Wesley Sneijder and Lukas Podolski combined to give Galatasaray victory, but Stevan Jovetic made his debut.
Roberto Mancini returned to face his former club in a friendly at the Turk Telekom Arena in Istanbul and the 360-minute goal drought is beginning to become a concern.
Nerazzurri transfer target Felipe Melo was not even on the bench amid reports of an imminent move, but ex-Nerazzurri Wesley Sneijder and Lukas Podolski started. Joao Miranda made his debut in defence.
Former Inter players Wesley Sneijder and Lukas Podolski combined to give Galatasaray victory, but Stevan Jovetic made his debut.
Roberto Mancini returned to face his former club in a friendly at the Turk Telekom Arena in Istanbul and the 360-minute goal drought is beginning to become a concern.
Nerazzurri transfer target Felipe Melo was not even on the bench amid reports of an imminent move, but ex-Nerazzurri Wesley Sneijder and Lukas Podolski started. Joao Miranda made his debut in defence.
Samir Handanovic needed a great save within seven minutes on former teammate Podolski from point-blank range.
Gala did get the ball in the net with Burak Yilmaz after Handanovic only flapped at a Selcuk Inan effort, but the goal was disallowed for a handling offence.
Mauro Icardi should’ve done better when sent clear by Mateo Kovacic, hitting a weak finish straight at the goalkeeper, while Fredy Guarin blasted over from distance. A Hernanes curler was comfortably held by ex-Lazio shot-stopper Nando Muslera and the Brazilian just failed to get on the end of a Rodrigo Palacio assist.
After the restart Galatasaray took a deserved lead, as Podolski pulled back to Sneijder on the edge of the box and he surprised Handanovic at the base of the near post.
Jovetic made his Inter debut for the final half-hour, replacing Palacio, wearing the Number 35 jersey. Andrea Ranocchia nodded a Hernanes corner just over the bar, as the Nerazzurri continued their inability to score in friendlies this summer.
They had a great opportunity to break that goal drought in the final stages, but three Interisti hesitated in the six-yard box and eventually it was beaten away. Montoya had sprung the offside trap, but wasn’t sure what to do when clear on goal.
Teenager Federico Dimarco surged forward on the counter, his viciously dipping shot from distance fingertipped out from under the bar.
Galatasaray 1-0 Inter
Scorers: Sneijder 54 (G)
Galatasaray: Muslera; Sabri, Chedjou (Serkan 81), Hakan Balta, Telles; Selçuk Inan (Rodriguez 71), Bilal Kisa (Colak 55), Yasin Oztekin; Sneijder; Podolski (9 71), Burak Yilmaz
Inter: Handanovic; Santon (Montoya 62), Miranda (Ranocchia 62), Murillo, Juan Jesus; Guarin (Brozovic 46), Kovacic, Kondogbia (Gnoukouri 78); Hernanes (Dimarco 78); Palacio (Jovetic 62), Icardi (Longo 81)