Inter 2 - 2 Monaco: Gagliardini and Asllani on the scoresheet

Knowing that they’ll be involved in the Champions League playoffs, Monaco’s pre-season began on 16 June, and they arrived for the match in Ferrara having already played four friendlies. This was in stark contrast to Inter, who had only taken to the pitch in Lugano. Given this difference, Inter’s performance in the 2-2 draw at the Mazza was undoubtedly a positive one. Indeed, despite falling two behind in the first half, the Nerazzurri were able to draw level and even finish in the ascendancy, that despite the better physical condition of their opponents. Goals from Gagliardini and Asllani secured a draw following Golovin and Ben Yedder’s finishes.

Inter didn’t make the best of starts to their second pre-season friendly, with Monaco quicker to the ball and dominating proceedings early on. After Henrique had hit the post, Philippe Clement’s side opened the scoring through Golovin in the seventh minute.

Coach Inzaghi’s men struggled in the opening half an hour. Their build-up play was anything but fluid and they looked heavy on their feet. Monaco doubled their advantage after 30 minutes thanks to Ben Yedder, who latched onto Golovin’s pass and dinked the ball over Handanovic. However, the Nerazzurri didn’t get discouraged and, as the minutes ticked by, started to pose more of a threat. Just like in Lugano, D'Ambrosio was there to make a contribution, with his header being saved by the goalkeeper before Gagliardini tapped home to reduce the arrears. Inter continued to push at the end of the opening period as Lautaro stuck a foot out and hit the bar from Dimarco’s cross.

After the restart, the Argentine once again came close to an equaliser, with his header finishing just wide. But Inter didn’t have to wait too much longer for their second, which came on the 59-minute mark. After the goalkeeper had saved Lukaku’s left-footed effort, the ball dropped to Asllani, who tucked it away to make it 2-2. It was a great moment for the Albanian midfielder before Inzaghi rung the changes.

With a new-look Inter side out on the pitch, there were further opportunities as the match drew to a close. Onana made an impact with a double save after 79 minutes, after which the Nerazzurri came close to netting a winner through Dumfries and then Calhanoglu. Chances at the end: a very positive sign against a team in better physical shape. It finished in a 2-2 draw in the summer heat of Ferrara.

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Handanovic (24 Onana 61'); 36 Darmian, 33 D'Ambrosio (6 De Vrij 61'), 32 Dimarco (95 Bastoni 61'); 12 Bellanova (2 Dumfries 60'), 5 Gagliardini (23 Barella 61'), 14 Asllani (77 Brozovic 61'), 22 Mkhitaryan (20 Calhanoglu 61'), 8 Gosens (15 Lazaro 46'); 90 Lukaku (9 Dzeko 61'), 10 Lautaro (11 Correa 61'). Subs: 21 Cordaz, 42 Agoumé, 47 Fontanarosa. Coach: Simone Inzaghi.

MONACO (4-2-3-1): 16 Nubel; 6 Disasi (26 Aguilar 61'), 3 Maripan (34 Matsima 46'), 5 Badiashile (43 Marcelin 61'), 2 Vanderson (11 Jean Lucas 46'); 36 Matazo (Magassa 46'), 19 Fofana (77 Gelson Martins 46'); 12 C. Henrique (14 Jakobs 61'), 31 Volland (29 Lemarechal 46'), 17 Golovin (21 Akliouche 46'); 10 Ben Yedder (18 Minamino 46'). Subs: Didillon, Liénard, 28 Pelé, E.Diop, Coach: Philippe Clement.

Scorers: 7' Golovin (M), 30' Ben Yedder (M), 42' Gagliardini (I), 59' Asllani (I)