Youth League: Man City 2 - 4 Inter. Berenbruch shines with an outstanding brace

A spectacular and thrilling performance. A display of strength that highlights the maturity of Andrea Zanchetta’s team. Inter’s Primavera side kicked off their Youth League campaign with a 4-2 victory over Manchester City, with a stunning brace from Berenbruch and goals from Lavelli and Alexiou sealing the win for the Nerazzurri.

The first half was electric. City struck early, taking advantage of a Zanchetta error, as Alfa-Ruprecht pounced from close range to put the hosts ahead. Inter seemed rattled, and City pushed for a second, with Braithwaite delivering a dangerous cross that Warhurst headed on target, only for Zamarian to pull off a brilliant save. But everything changed for Inter in the eighth minute, when Berenbruch unleashed a pinpoint left-footed strike from the edge of the box, leaving the English goalkeeper with no chance. From that moment on, Inter took control of the game. Just a minute after the equalizer, Lavelli exchanged passes with Berenbruch and was set to score, only to be denied by a heroic clearance from City’s defence.

In the fifteenth minute, Lavelli was brought down in the box, winning a penalty, and calmly slotted home from the spot to put Inter ahead. The Nerazzurri’s midfield dominated, with Berenbruch running the show. He dribbled past a defender at the edge of the box and fired a shot with his left foot that the City keeper managed to parry, but Alexiou was there to tap in the rebound. On 24 minutes, Cocchi orchestrated a set-piece from a free kick, setting up De Pieri for a left-footed volley that nearly found the back of the net, but the City goalkeeper reacted well. Before the break, City came close twice—first with a Wright free kick deflected by the wall, and then with a fierce strike from Heskey, which narrowly missed the far post.

The second half began much like the first, as City levelled just two minutes in. Alfa-Ruprecht pounced on a defensive mistake by Alexiou and slotted past Zamarian. But this time, Inter responded with composure, managing the game and controlling their lead without giving City any real chances. The hosts had two efforts—Heskey’s weak header from close range and a left-footed volley from Mcaidoo that was comfortably saved by Zamarian. Then, in the 80th minute, Berenbruch produced a moment of magic, unleashing a thunderous left-footed shot from the edge of the box that flew past Wint. That was the final piece of drama, as Inter wrapped up a 4-2 win in Manchester, claiming their first three points of the Youth League.

UYL | MANCHESTER CITY 2-4 INTER | MATCH SUMMARY

Goalscorers: 1', 47' Alfa-Ruprecht (M), 8', 80' Berenbruch (I), 15' rig. Lavelli (I), 17' Alexiou (I). MANCHESTER CITY (4-3-3): 1 Wint, 2 Henderson-Hall (14 Mfuni 68'), 3 Samuel, 4 Simpson-Pusey, 5 Braithwaite; 8 Oboavwoduo (16 Mukasa 79'), 6 Wright, 10 O'Reilly; 7 Alfa-Ruprecht, 9 Warhurst, 11 Heskey (17 Mcaidoo 68'). Unused subs: 13 Whatmuff, 31 Hudson, 12 Thomas, 15 Gray, 18 Fletcher. Coach: Ben Wilkinson INTER (4-3-3): 1 Zamarian; 2 Della Mora (17 Venturini 83'), 6 Alexiou, 5 Re Cecconi (14 Kangasniemi 68'), 3 Cocchi (15 Motta 68'); 8 Topalovic (16 Zarate 59'), 4 Zanchetta, 7 Berenbruch; 10 De Pieri, 9 Lavelli (18 Spinacce 59'), 11 Mosconi. Unused subs: 12 Taho, 13 Maye, 19 Romano, 20 Pinotti. Coach: Andrea Zanchetta

Bookings: Oboavwoduo (M), Mcaidoo (M).

Referee: Ishmael Barbara Assistants: James Muscat-Duncan Spence Fourth official: Benjamin Speedie