Inter beats Lugano with Taremi's double

After almost two months, Inter returned to the field: the ball was rolling again, and the Italian Champions were back in action. This match featured debuts for Martinez and Taremi's and a comeback that showcased the character of the Nerazzurri from the start. There were many talking points in this first friendly match, with the eagerness to play, work, and run together once again. The players were back on the familiar stomping ground they had been treading since Saturday 13 July. The first friendly of the year was against Lugano. Inter started with their classic 3-5-2 formation, featuring Taremi and Correa up front, Martinez's debut, and familiar faces like Mkhitaryan, Carlos Augusto, and Bisseck. There was also the freshness of young players like Berenbruch, Stante, and Fontanarosa.

The challenge was far from straightforward: Lugano are set to open thier league campaign on Saturday 20 July, and the Swiss team was well ahead in their summer preparation. Despite the intense heat at Appiano Gentile, Inter was eager to play and pushed from the start. The Nerazzurri took the lead in the fifth minute when Correa scored from a Taremi assist. On 19’, Przybylko equalised for Lugano with a penalty after Stante's handball, and scored again six minutes later to put Lugano ahead. Inter pushed for an equaliser but went into halftime down 2-1.

In the second half, Inter resumed without changes. On 53’, Correa set up Kamate after some brilliant solo play. His shot was saved by Osigwe, but Taremi was first to the ball. His header was blocked by Papadopoulos' arm. The new Nerazzurri signing was relentless from the penalty spot. Mehdi's first goal brought parity to the score. The Iranian was on fire, fighting for every ball, moving well, and covering the entire offensive front. On 60’, Inter completed the comeback. Berenbruch delivered a brilliant through ball to Taremi, who sprinted past his marker on a counterattack to make it 3-2 with a fantastic chip over replacement goalkeeper Pseftis.

The heat and the fatigue from the early days of training took their toll in the final minutes. The pace slowed, and Lugano couldn't push forward. Ryter nearly equalised on 75’, but Di Gennaro's extraordinary save preserved Inter’s lead.

INTER-LUGANO 3-2

Goalscorers: 5' Correa (I), 19' rig. Przybylko (L), 25' Przybylko (L), 53' rig. Taremi (I), 60' Taremi (I).

INTER (3-5-2): 13 Martinez (12 Di Gennaro 61'); 31 Bisseck (57 Quieto 61' (61 Re Cecconi 75')), 58 Stante (55 Motta 54'), 47 Fontanarosa (51 Alexiou 61'); 54 Kamate (50 Aidoo 54'), 42 Agoumé (62 Bovo 72'), 22 Mkhitaryan (60 Zarate 64'), 52 Berenbruch (59 Topalovic 61'), 30 Carlos Augusto (53 Cocchi 69'); 99 Taremi (24 Salcedo 64'), 11 Correa (56 Owusu 64'). Substitutes: 97 Radu. Coach: Simone Inzaghi.

LUGANO (4-3-3): 58 Osigwe (15 Pseftis 51'); 46 Zanotti (2 Guillard-Brault 46'), 6 Papadopoulos (20 Doumbia 58'), 5 Hajdari (22 El Wafi 58'), 26 Marques (23 Valenzuela 58'); 7 Macek (25 Bislimi 58'), 8 Grgic (28 Ryter 41'), 27 Dos Santos (29 Belhadj 58'); 34 Babic (10 Bottani 58'), 93 Przybylko (31 Aliseda 58'), 18 Mahou (21 Cimignani). Substitutes: - Coach: Mattia Croci Torti

Referee: Bonacina. Assistants: Bresmes - Trinchieri.

Note: two 40-minute halves.