Inter were on the end of a heavy 4-0 defeat to Valencia in New York’s MetLife Stadium, so they’ll face Juventus in Miami on August 6. Valencia will take on Everton for fifth place.
Inter were on the end of a heavy 4-0 defeat to Valencia in New York’s MetLife Stadium, so they’ll face Juventus in Miami on August 6. Valencia will take on Everton for fifth place.
This was their second Guinness International Champions Cup games, as the Nerazzurri had lost 2-0 to Chelsea and Valencia fell 2-1 against Milan. Hugo Campagnaro was suspended following a red card, plus Mateo Kovacic, Walter Samuel, Javier Zanetti and Diego Milito injured.
Ever Banega broke the deadlock in some style with an absolute screamer from distance that flew into the far top corner.
It was almost a repeat from Banega when he pounced on a Cristian Chivu error, but this time Samir Handanovic got a hand to turn it over the bar.
Fredy Guarin went very close to an equaliser, as his angled drive flashed inches past the base of the far post, as did Alvaro Pereira soon after. Handanovic blocked a Feghouili snapshot under the bar and Zdravko Kuzmanovic’s effort was charged down in the box.
Handanovic was alert to turn a Michel rocket away, but from the resulting corner Jonathan Viera’s shot took a deflection off Marco Andreolli to lift it over the goalkeeper.
Belfodil cut in from the right to fire over the bar, but the Nerazzurri looked uninspired. Rodrigo Palacio scored straight after the restart, but the offside flag had already gone up, as Inter changed to four at the back.
Valencia came so close to a fantastic third when Jonas and Jonathan Viera repeatedly exchanged passes, but Handanovic fingertipped the final header on to the upright.
The Spaniards made it 3-0 with another well-worked move, as a Jonathan Viera through ball surprised Andrea Ranocchia and Jonas waltzed it into an empty net. Juan Jesus was caught out and had an angry reaction, clipping the scorers’ heel after the goal to earn a booking.
Joao Pereira had the ball in the net too, but was flagged very marginally offside. Substitutes Jonathan and Mauro Icardi combined, the Argentine stinging Diego Alves’ palms. The Valencia goalkeeper also did well to flap a dangerous Ricky Alvarez cross off the head of Belfodil and Diego Laxalt made his Inter debut.
Luca Castellazzi performed a stunning one-handed save to deny Jonas, but could do nothing on Jonathan Viera’s follow-up.
Valencia 4-0 Inter
Scorers: Banega 7 (V), Jonathan Viera 34, 90 (V), Jonas 56 (V)
Valencia:Diego Alves; Joao Pereira, Rami, Ricardo Costa; Juan Bernat, Javi Fuego, Michel; Feghouili, Ever Banega, Jonathan Viera; Alcacer (Jonas 46)
Inter: Handanovic (Castellazzi 79); Andreolli, Chivu (Ranocchia 46), Juan Jesus (Laxalt 76); Nagatomo (Mbaye 76), Guarin (Olsen 65), Cambiasso (Jonathan 65), Kuzmanovic, Pereira (Alvarez 46); Palacio (Icardi 65), Belfodil