Inter claimed a penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester City after the sides played out a 1-1 draw in their pre-season friendly in Hong Kong.
The match brought together the teams that met in the 2023 Champions League Final and also faced each other during last season’s competition. Manchester City were led by new head coach Enzo Maresca, while Gianluigi Donnarumma started in goal for the English side.
Inter and Manchester City exchange first-half goals
Inter nearly made the perfect start when Francesco Pio Esposito stretched to meet a low cross during a counter-attack, but his effort rolled just wide of Donnarumma’s post.
At the other end, Pep Martinez denied Tijjani Reijnders from a tight angle before Manchester City opened the scoring. Antoine Semenyo drove down the left and squared the ball for Divin Mubama, who finished from close range to give his team the lead.
Manchester City continued to threaten through Semenyo, whose dangerous run forced another save from Martinez. Inter responded by levelling the score when Donnarumma stopped Federico Dimarco’s initial attempt, but Benjamin Pavard reacted quickest to convert the rebound.
Donnarumma and Martinez make key saves in friendly
Aleksandar Stankovic burst forward on the counter-attack and tested Donnarumma with a powerful angled strike, while the Manchester City goalkeeper was called into action again immediately after the restart to deny the Serbian midfielder.
Mattia Mosconi volleyed over the crossbar from Davide Frattesi’s delivery as Inter searched for another goal. Manchester City came close themselves when Rayan Ait-Nouri struck the crossbar following a corner.
As the match progressed, Inter defended deeper while Manchester City introduced fresh players from the bench. Ryan McAidoo also rattled the woodwork with an angled effort, although Cristian Chivu’s side still looked dangerous on the break, with Leonardo Bovio seeing his half-volley blocked.
Penalty shoot-out seals Inter win over Manchester City
The friendly was decided by a penalty shoot-out after the 1-1 draw.
Manchester City’s hopes suffered an early setback when Ait-Nouri blasted his penalty over the bar before Abdukodir Khusanov struck the post. Donnarumma kept his side in contention by saving Davide Frattesi’s effort, while Ivan Provedel denied Nico Gonzalez.
Claudio Echeverri was the only Manchester City player to score from the spot, as Inter secured victory on penalties in Hong Kong.