MILAN – A series of friendly matches and tournaments have been lined up for Inter’s academy sides over the next week, with the various youth leagues not due to start up again until the middle of January.

The Giovanissimi Regionali (U14) are taking part in the Halima Haider Memorial from Saturday 3 to Wednesday 7 January.

A preliminary match for the 4th Torneo Angelo Seveso against Novara awaits the Allievi Nazionali Lega Pro (U16) at 14:30 on Saturday.

The Giovanissimi Regionali B (U13) are to feature in the 28th Trofeo Costa Gaia, which runs until Tuesday 6 January.

There are friendly matches for the Berretti (U18) and Giovanissimi Nazionali (U15) teams on Monday 5 January, against Pro Vercelli (Stadio Piola) and Sarnico (Centro Sportivo Giacinto Facchetti) respectively. Both fixtures are due to kick off at 14:30.

Stefano Vecchi’s Primavera (U19) boys will instead make the opposite journey to Sarnico on Wednesday 7 January, to pit their wits against the Sarnico first team at the Stadio Comunale (16:30).

Finally, the Allievi Nazionali Serie A e B (U17) will entertain AlbinoLeffe at the Centro Sportivo Giacinto Facchetti on Tuesday morning (10:30).

MARRAKECH – While most of his team-mates were returning to the pitch after a week’s break over Christmas, for Jonathan crossing the white line against Paris Saint-Germain in this evening’s friendly meant getting a taste of match action for the first time in over three months.

The Brazilian full-back has been struggling with injury problems since September and having finally got back out there tonight he made no attempt to hide his relief. “It’s the end of my nightmare at last,” he told Sportmediaset.

The 28-year-old then admitted: “I even felt a bit nervous at the start of the game because I’d never spent so long on the sidelines before. Now I need to get that fear out of my head. The new year starts with a massive game against Juve.”

MARRAKECH – Tonight’s friendly match with Paris Saint-Germain may have ended in defeat for Inter, but Roberto Mancini still feels it was a useful exercise: it offered him the opportunity to give lots of players game time and he was pleased with what he saw.

Speaking after the final whistle at the Grand Stade, the boss admitted: “You never like to lose, not even in a friendly, but I was satisfied with the way the lads played today. There were some good things on display and we saw lots of excellent youngsters.”

The Nerazzurri coach then commented on the formation employed. “4-2-3-1 is a handy set-up but it’s new to the team. Still, they seem to be comfortable with it.”

Next up is a heavyweight clash with Juventus to kick off the new year. “Yes, it’s just seven days away. We’ll work hard in training to make sure we can go there and do well.”

Asked if he expects reinforcements in the transfer window, Mancini explained: “I’m sure we’ll do something but I don’t know what yet. Let’s wait and see.”

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MARRAKECH – After playing an hour in this evening’s friendly with PSG, Federico Bonazzoli shared his views in the interview zone at the Grand Stade.

Commenting on his own performance, the 17-year-old began: “I think it went pretty well for me. The gaffer asked me to play out wide and that’s fine by me because the more positions you can learn to play in the better.”

He then provided some insight into his relationship with Roberto Mancini: “I’m happy because I’m constantly learning and the gaffer is fantastic in that sense. He’s a massive help, always giving me useful pointers – he’s a great teacher.”