Inter Primavera 1 - 1 Verona: Agbonifo responded to De Pieri

Andrea Zanchetta's Inter Primavera draw to Hellas Verona. The Nerazzurri took the lead in the first half, with De Pieri converting cooly from the spot. Agbofino then equalised at the start of the second half. Inter had a host of opportunities late in the game but couldn't find the winner: final result 1-1 at the KONAMI Youth Development Centre.

The game began with Inter trying to attack down the flanks, taking advantage of De Pieri's activity on the right. 8 minutes in, Inter made their first move: Topalovic controlled the ball in the box and attempted a shot that was fouled and blocked by the Verona defence. The pace wasn't too intense, but Inter threatened again three minutes later when Quieto volleyed De Pieri's cross wide. The game remained deadlocked with neither side able to create much of an attacking threat, and the game was further disrupted towards half-time when Sammarco made his first substitution, replacing the injured Nwachukwu. Around the half-hour mark, Verona tried to make their presence felt, attacking mainly on the left with De Battisti, who was clever with a couple of crosses that Calligaris met with confidence. Inter took the lead in the 31st minute: Spinaccè sprinted into the box, anticipating Magro as he came out to pass the ball. The goalkeeper brought down the Nerazzurri striker and the referee awarded Inter a penalty, which De Pieri converted perfectly. The goal aided Inter's spirits and they came close to doubling the lead through Berenbruch, whose shot was saved by Magro. The rest of the first half was quiet and the score was 1-0 at the break.

The second half began with a change for Inter: Mosconi took the place of top scorer De Pieri. The Nerazzurri immediately went on the attack in search of a second goal, with Inter pinning Verona back in their own half. In the 49th minute, Berenbruch's first-time shot from Cocchi's low cross was parried by Magro, who showed great reflexes to push the ball away for a corner. Zanchetta's side remained firmly in the attacking zone, but in the 53rd minute Verona broke the deadlock with a swift counter-attack. Pavanati's cross from the edge of midfield found Agbonifo in the area, and his header beat Calligaris at his near post to level the scores at 1-1. However, Inter began to look more lively and on 57 minutes Quieto threatened with a fierce free-kick, but Magro was again able to respond. Between the 64th and 65th minutes, the Gialloblu goalkeeper was again called into action twice in succession to deny the number 10: from another Gialloblu set-piece, Ajayi couldn't make the right connection to put Verona ahead. Inter continued to press, inevitably leaving space for the Gialloblu, who came close to doubling their lead in the 74th minute through Agbonifo: Calligaris pulled off a fine save to keep the ball out of the goal. Zanchetta tried to change Inter's game by sending on attacking players such as Lavelli and Romano, and the Nerazzurri continued to press down the flanks, attempting shots from all angles, but without success. In the second half, Calligaris saved Zanchetta's boys with a fine save from Scharner's free-kick: The game ended 1-1 at the KONAMI Youth Development Centre.

The match ended in a draw, with Inter creating a number of chances that were largely thwarted by the excellent performance of Magro, the Gialloblu goalkeeper who was the protagonist of several crucial interventions. The draw takes Inter's tally to 11 points after the first seven games of the season, with the Primavera now heading into International Break. Andrea Zanchetta's Inter will be back on the pitch on Saturday 19 October at 11:00 CEST when they face Lecce away.

MATCH DETAILS | INTER-H.VERONA 1-1

Goals: 31' (pen) De Pieri (I), 53' Agbonifo (V).

INTER (4-3-3): 1 Calligaris; 2 Aidoo, 24 Re Cecconi, 6 Maye, 3 Cocchi; 29 Topalovic (9 Lavelli 77'), 14 Bovo (4 Zanchetta 77'), 7 Berenbruch; 30 De Pieri (18 Mosconi 46'), 11 Spinaccè, 10 Quieto (28 Romano 84'). Unused subs: 21 Zamarian, 8 Zarate, 13 Kangasniemi, 16 Venturini, 17 Motta, 19 Della Mora, 22 Tigani. Coach: Andrea Zanchetta

HELLAS VERONA (3-5-2): 98 Magro; 5 Nwanege, 82 Corradi, 90 Nwachukwu (2 Kurti 19'); 7 Agbonifo, 26 Scharner, 4 Dalla Riva, 10 Pavanati (8 Szimionas 78'), 19 De Battisti; 20 Ajayi (44 Philippe Mathis 67'), 28 Luna (92 Monticelli 78'). Unused subs: 1 Ravasio, 6 Popovic, 21 De Rossi, 29 Vapore, 30 Jablonski, 70 Devoti, 78 Barry. Coach: Paolo Sammarco.

Added time: 2', 5'.

Booked: Kurti (V), De Battisti (V).

Note: Verona's coach Sammarco was expelled at 90+4' for protesting.

Referee: Simone Gauzolino (Torino) Assistants: Nigri-Della Mea