Aug, 13 2025
Late Drama and Penalty Heroics as Inter Milan Outlast Monza
If you tuned into Inter Milan’s clash with Monza expecting a sleepy pre-season affair, you got anything but. Fans at the U-Power Stadium in Monza saw a wild back-and-forth that ended 2-2 after 90 minutes, before Inter kept their heads to seal the win with a 7-5 edge in penalties. The August heat didn’t dampen the intensity one bit—it actually seemed to crank up the action as both squads ramped up for the new Serie A season.
Monza drew first blood not long after the opening cooling break—yes, it was so hot they actually stopped at the 23-minute mark to hydrate. In the 32nd minute, Pablo Ciurria connected after a slick assist from Dany Caprari. The home crowd was buzzing, sensing their team’s early sharpness. But football has a way of flipping the script in an instant, and just before the halftime whistle, Inter leveled things up in bizarre fashion. Trying to clear a tempting Federico Dimarco cross, Simone Birindelli knocked the ball into his own net in stoppage time. Sometimes in pre-season, rust is part of the show.
Inter came out firing after the break, piecing together one of those smooth moves you replay a few times. In the 52nd minute, young Pio Esposito stole the spotlight with a cheeky backheel, capping off a flowing team attack. For a kid fighting for more minutes, this was a boost in confidence you could see written on his face.
Monza weren’t about to let the match slip away quietly. Energy spiked in the closing minutes, and with Inter missing some big chances—Marcus Thuram (Bonny) especially finding himself just inches away in three lightning-fast moments—the hosts snatched a late equalizer. Patrick Azzi broke free in the 89th minute, tapping home and sending the game to penalties. That late goal made you realize Monza had no plans to roll over, no matter the occasion.
Aside from the goals, the game swung on a handful of moments. Carlos Augusto’s interception to deny Caprari a goal-bound run drew gasps, and an early substitution at the 42nd minute after an injury reshuffled Monza’s deck, hinting at the squad rotation and fitness puzzles coaches still face.
Penalty Pressure and Signs of Inter’s Rising Chemistry
The spot kicks were tense. Both teams hit their first five, but when it came time for the sudden death rounds, Inter showed a little more composure. Players and coaches breathed a sigh of relief as the ball hit the back of the Monza net for the final time. It wasn’t just about bragging rights—these moments help shape a squad’s nerves for when the games start counting for real.
Inter boss Cristian Chivu didn’t hide his pleasure after the match. He talked up the squad’s energy and “growing commitment,” not hiding the fact that this group is eager to prove themselves once Serie A action begins. You could see partnerships forming—Dimarco’s smart deliveries, Esposito’s lively movement, Thuram’s knack for stretching defenses. These friendly games, while officially not that serious, still matter for the chemistry and pecking order they can establish ahead of the season.
For fans, this match was a perfect mix. Goals, gaffes, late drama, a sun-drenched Italian evening, and a penalty shootout to wrap it all up. If this early August contest is any sign, Inter’s preseason momentum could spill over into something bigger when the real thing kicks off in a few short weeks.
Reagan Traphagen
August 13, 2025 AT 18:52They rigged that whole penalty shootout to sell more merch, no doubt.
mark sweeney
August 25, 2025 AT 01:09Honestly, the drama was just a cheap distraction from Inter's lackluster defence. Everyone pretends it was a thrilling friendly, but it's a rehearsed showcase. The heat? Just an excuse for the coaches to hide fitness gaps. I bet the players were more worried about their Instagram likes than the actual ball.
randy mcgrath
September 5, 2025 AT 07:27The beauty of pre‑season lies in its uncertainty, a canvas where tactics are sketched in broad strokes. While the penalties delivered heart‑pounding moments, they also revealed how composure can be cultivated under pressure. Inter's younger cohort, especially Esposito, demonstrated a willingness to experiment, which bodes well for future cohesion. Such matches remind us that sport mirrors life: fleeting triumphs followed by inevitable evaluation. Watching the replay, I felt a subtle appreciation for the game's transient poetry.
Frankie Mobley
September 16, 2025 AT 13:45Inter used the friendly to test a new back‑four formation, rotating players like Thuram and Dimarco to assess chemistry. Monza, on the other hand, tried a high‑press approach that forced several early turnovers. The cooling break at the 23‑minute mark was a practical response to the scorching heat, showing the clubs' attention to player welfare. Penalty practice was also on the agenda, giving the goalkeeper a chance to read spot‑kick tendencies. Overall, the match served as a useful data point for both managers ahead of the season.