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.