Geoffrey Kondogbia pounced on a defensive howler as Inter beat Milan for the Trofeo Berlusconi.
This game is usually played in August as a pre-season taster, but was moved to October to coincide with the Expo in the city. Both sides made huge changes and the small crowd at San Siro reflected that so soon after these teams met in the Serie A derby.
Geoffrey Kondogbia pounced on a defensive howler as Inter beat Milan for the Trofeo Berlusconi.
This game is usually played in August as a pre-season taster, but was moved to October to coincide with the Expo in the city. Both sides made huge changes and the small crowd at San Siro reflected that so soon after these teams met in the Serie A derby.
It was a bad start for Milan, whose defensive frailties have been all too obvious this season. Philippe Mexes was hoping to impress Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, but instead his pass was intercepted for Geoffrey Kondogbia to fire in from 12 yards undisturbed. The entire back four was caught napping.
Andrea Bertolacci was stretchered off moments later with a suspected sprained left knee, while there were also chances for Rey Manaj and Andrea Ranocchia, plus a crucial Juan Pablo Carrizo save on Andrea Poli.
The Rossoneri did better after the restart and gave Kevin-Prince Boateng a run-out, as he’s training with the squad until January hoping to earn a contract.
Boateng sent Keisuke Honda clear on goal to force another Carrizo save at the near post, then the Japanese international wasted a golden opportunity set up for him by Ignazio Abate.
At the other end, teenage goalkeeper Antonio Donnarumma showed good reflexes to deny Dodo another for Inter.
Antonio Nocerino had the ball in the net, but was flagged offside, while Carrizo was again alert on Boateng and Rodrigo Ely’s overhead kick was fingertipped out from under the bar.
Milan 0-1 Inter
Scorers: Kondogbia 12 (I)
Milan: Donnarumma, De Sciglio (Abate 62), Mexes (Zapata 62), Romagnoli (Ely 46), Antonelli (Calabria 46); Poli, De Jong, Bertolacci (Jose Mauri 14); Cerci (Suso 46), Luiz Adriano (Boateng 46), Honda (Vido 80)
Inter: Carrizo (Berni 78); Montoya (Gyamfi 68), Ranocchia (Antonini 69), D'Ambrosio (Rapaic 68), Telles (Dodo 46), Biabiany (Popa 66), Gnoukouri (Delgado 67), Kondogbia (Tchaouele 46), Nagatomo (Baldini 46); Palacio (Dimarco 65), Manaj (Dellagiovanna 66)