Viareggio Cup. Inter 1 - 1 Pro Vercelli (3 - 1 on penalties). Nerazzurri proceed!

TAVARNELLE VAL DI PESA - Stefano Vecchi’s Under-19s won at the Round of 16 in the 70th Viareggio Cup, beating Pro Verceli on penalties. Spot kicks were needed at the Stadio Pianigiani to find a winner as it finished 1-1 after 90 minutes. The Nerazzurri beat Vito Greico’s side and won thanks to Belkheir, Vergani and Sala’s efforts from the spot. 

Inter looked to start on the front foot with Matteo Rover getting a shot away after 20 seconds but it was too weak and central. Seven minutes in, Andrea Adorante had a goal disallowed after he did well to beat Chiovenda but he controlled it with his arm. The first real chance was for Pro Vercelli when Mal made the most of a mistake from Rizzo but Pissardo was ready to make a save. 

On 29 minutes, a dangerous shot-cum-cross from Valietti almost put the Nerazzurri ahead. The momentum was with Inter and Brignoli’s effort was kept out by Chiovenda to keep it goalless going into the break.

The second half started without changes and Inter were showing a different attitude. After a good run from Sala and that was stopped by Pezziardi, Rover looked to open the scoring with a powerful effort that went over. A few minutes later, the number seven tried again with an effort that was blocked in front of goal. 

The deserved Inter opener came in the 62nd minute when Brignoli headed home from a Sala assist. Aorante looked to double the lead straight after with a free kick that went narrowly over. Belkheir missed a chance to make it 2-0 in the 74th minute. 

The setback came in the 79th minute when Pro Vercelli equalised with their first shot on goal of the second half. De Marino set Gerbi in the box who controlled and played it to Della Morte who left Pissardo with no chance. The Nerazzurri looked to win it late on but it finished 1-1 and went to penalties. 

Following mistakes from Della Morte, Schirò and Sapone Belkheir scored to put the Nerazzurri ahead. Sangiorgi levelled before Vergani made it 2-1. Quagliata missed and Sala scored to end Inter to the quarter-finals of the 70th edition of the Viareggio Cup which will be on Friday against Genoa. The match will be broadcast against on Inter TV from 21:30 CET.

INTER 1-1 PRO VERCELLI (3-1 on penalties)  Goals: Brignoli 62’, Della Morte 79’.

Penalties: Della Morte (X), Schirò (X), Sapone (X), Belkheir (O), Sangiorgi (O), Vergani (O), Quagliata (X), Sala (O).

INTER: 1 Pissardo, 22 Zappa, 4 Nolan, 6 Rizzo; 2 Valietti, 8 Brignoli (85’  Roric 28), 10 Schirò, 14 Danso (68’ Visconti 17), 3 Sala; 9 Adorante (69’ Belkheir 11), 7 Rover (85’ Vergani 23).

Bench: 12 Pozzer, 21 Bagheria, 13 Van Den Eynden, 25 Marzupio, 26 D'Amico.

Coach: Stefano Vecchi

PRO VERCELLI: 1 Chiovenda, 4 De Marino, 3 Cortinovis (75’ Bedino 7), 6 Pezziardi; 5 Iezzi (75’ D'Agostino 20), 11 Bani (67’ Della Morte 21), 16 Sangiorgi, 13 Grossi (61’ Sapone 17), 2 Besozzi; 24 Gerbi, 14 Mal (75’ Quagliata 27). 

Bench 12 Vero, 22 Rovei, 8 Sykaj, 10 Antonacci, 15 Panizzi, 23 Febbrasio, 28 Agosta.

Coach: Vito Grieco

Bookings: Schirò (10' st)

Stoppage Time: 0' - 3'

Referee: Ilario Guida (Salerno)

Assistants: Montagnani and Caso