Inter hit six past Gżira United in first friendly during Malta camp

INTER        6     

Bellanova 17; Asllani 26

Calhanoglu 39; Gosens 41

Dimarco 70; Mkhitaryan 89

GZIRA UNITED  1     

Jefferson 32

GŻIRA UNITED

D. Zarkov (65 D. Cassar) (86 K. Zammit), G. Bohrer (86 N. Taliana), A. Borg (86 H. Kabar), L. Tabone (86 M. Alouzi), N. Muscat, S. Pisani (46 M. Dias), Z. Scerri (46 C. Gauci), L. Riascos (86 D. Pace), R. Correa (46 T. Kolega), B. Borg (65 T. Espindola), Jefferson(46 M. Maia).

INTER

S. Handanovic (64 A. Cordaz), R. Gagliardini (46 F. Dimarco), R. Gosens (46 D. Curatolo), E. Dzeko (46 N. Barella), R. Bellanova (76 N. Biral), K. Asllani (64 A. Stankovic), F. Acerbi (76 T. Guercio), H. Calhanoglu (46 H. Mkhitaryan), M. Skriniar (76 S. Di Pentima), V. Carboni (64 N. Iliev), A. Bastoni (64 A. Fontanarossa).

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele.

Italian giants Inter defeated Gzira United 6-1 in the first of two friendly matches for Simone Inzaghi’s side as part of a mini-training camp in Malta.

In fact, this visit was a perfect treat for the Inter fans who flocked to the Tony Bezzina Stadium.

Although players like Denzel Dumfries, Stefan de Vrij, Lautaro Martinez, Joaquin Correa, Marcelo Brozovic, Romelu Lukaku and goalkeeper Andre Onana did not make the trip to Malta, the Inter line-up featured a number of established players like goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, Robin Gosens, Hakan Calhanoglu, Alessandro Bastoni, Milan Skriniar and Edin Dzeko, among others.

Gżira coach Darren Abdilla took the opportunity to field almost all the players in his squad to play a part in the game, making no less than 11 changes during the second half.

Inter went close after just six minutes when off a cross by Roberto Gagliardini, Edin Dzeko had a shot from close range neutralised by Darijan Zarkov.

The Nerazzurri managed to take the lead on 17 minutes. Alessandro Bastoni delivered a cross and Raoul Bellanova headed past the Gżira goalkeper.

Inter doubled the score on 26 minutes. Kristjan Asllani surprised goalkeeper Zarkov with a low shot from outside the area which was not held by the Croatian goalkeeper.

The Maroons replied with a Jefferson effort which was deflected into a corner on 31 minutes. From the resulting corner taken by Steve Pisani, Jefferson placed the ball at the back of the net from close range.

Six minutes from the end of the first half, Inter regained a two-goal lead thanks to a brilliant freekick by Hakan Calhanoglu.

Robin Gosens made it 4-1 on 41 minutes when he received a through pass on the left flank by Alessandro Bastoni, beating Zarkov with a diagonal shot.

For the beginning of the second half, the two coaches made four changes each and one of the substitutes, Maxuell Maia, soon entered the thick of action with a good run on the right flank, followed by a powerful shot which was parried by Handanovic.

Inter threatened once again on 59 minutes with a Francesco Acerbi header which hit the woodwork off a corner by Dimarco.

However, Inter were not to be denied on 70 minutes with an angled shot by substitute Federico Dimarco from the left following a good run on the right by Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

One minute from time, Inter scored the sixth goal courtesy of Mkhitaryan who headed the ball home past substitute goalkeeper Zammit off a cross by Dimarco.