BERKELEY – They say that getting off to a good start is half the battle won already. And if you start with a win over Real Madrid, at a packed stadium and you’re given a fantastic reception, then you really couldn’t ask for much more.
René Krhin mentioned the warm welcome Inter were shown as he spoke to foreign reporters after the game. “It’s great to be in the States. The enthusiasm here seems to grow year on year.
“These games are friendlies but they shouldn’t be played any differently to other games. Every match is an opportunity for you to improve, especially if you’re testing yourself against teams like Real Madrid.”
Penalty hero Juan Pablo Carrizo then turned up, with a smile on his face: “It’s exciting to be involved in games like this, with such a vibrant atmosphere. It gets better every year.”
Nemanja Vidic then added: “It’s always a great game to play in against Real, even if it’s a friendly. And of course it’s even better when you win these matches.”
The defender also commented on how he’s adapting to life at Inter: “I’m enjoying it and I’m getting to grips with the way the team plays.”
On Mazzarri: “He’s a coach who explains very clearly what he wants so it’s easier to do what he asks of you.”
BERKELEY – FC Internazionale coach Walter Mazzarri took questions from the media after the Nerazzurri’s opening game in the Guinness International Champions Cup 2014.
What are Inter aiming for? What do you expect?
“We don’t have a specific target in mind, we have to get Inter back up where it belongs. We’ve made a good start and we showed the right mentality, never easing up – that’s what we did today. We played well.”
There were 42 fouls and four yellow cards. Did you expect it to be such a hard-fought game?
“I explained to the younger players that Real Madrid – who have always been a successful team – show real character even when playing in friendly tournaments. We’re both great teams and great teams always want to try and win.”
It wasn’t the real Real, although Inter’s midfield was lacking a lot of important players too. You found yourselves slightly on the back foot in the first half, but then the team responded with character. Is that what you want to see?
“We struggled to get into gear in the first quarter of an hour and we were playing with a totally new-look midfield. After the goal we started to play better and we finished the game on a high.”
What did you think of M’Vila’s display? And what about Icardi?
“M’Vila played well when he came on. He’s not in top shape yet but he performed well – better than I thought. Now he needs to up his fitness at a higher tempo. Icardi? Besides the penalties he had a good game. He has to improve, like all the others, but he’s on the right path.”
Are you surprised by the sellout crowd? Do you think enthusiasm is higher because of the World Cup?
“I hope so because it’s good for the game. It’s true that there were two big teams playing out there today, but I think the passion in the USA is important for the entire football movement.”
By Anna Italia
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Real Madrid 1 – 1 Inter Milan
10′ Gareth Bale 68′ Mauro Icardi (pen)
Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti facing his personal “Milan Derby” against Inter Milan. Face to face with eternal city rival Inter Milan as Ancelotti knows well Inter style facing them not only as player with AC Milan, but also as ex AC Milan coach. The final victory is for Inter coach Walter Mazzarri defeating Real Madrid with penalty shootouts after forward Mauro Icardi converted the winner penalty!
Real Madrid taking the lead in the 10th minute with a super goal by Gareth Bale. The action started by Pepe and Bale unmarked making a fast run for a fast left footed shot and unexplainable Inter Milan goalkeeper hesitating going to the left while the ball heading to the opposite direction. Handanovic could not even react to correct direction and it is just a super goal by Bale.
Mamma mia!!! Hello, hello, hello, so close!!!!! In the 22nd minute,, there you see Jonathan with a headed shot … oh well.. the ball above f goalkeeper Diego López.
First yellow card of the match is for Inter Captain Andrea Ranocchia in the 28th minute after a foul on Real Madrid forward Raúl De Tomás.
In the 29th minute, Real Madrid with a clear and present danger chance with Gareth Bale again!!! This time goalkeeper Handanovic went to the right direction and deviated the shot sending it for a corner.
In the 32nd minute, ouch, Lucas Vazques bleeding after the elbow by Inter defender Nemanja Vidic, though, hello, the foul was first by Vázquez.
What a crazy reaction! Guys, in the 47th minute There it is a foul by Raúl de Tomás on Inter Dodo’ bringing him down. Dodo’ gets up and immediately you see Carvajal approaching to push Dodo’. . helllo what the heck!!!! Imagine, even coach Ancelotti trying to dissipate this “craziness” while Bota approaching also to defend Dodo’.. oh well… Referee finally giving the yellow card to Raúl de Tomás. And who said it was a friendly game???!!!!
Real Madrid making two changes in the 51st minute.
Diego López is replaced by Jesus Fernández
Gareth Bale is replaced by Marcos Llorente
In the 54th minute, Inter closer to the goal with D’Ambrosio though his shot directly to the hands of goalkeeper Jesus.
Referee giving a yellow card to Real Madrid Medrán in the 55th minute after a foul on Inter defender Danilo D’Ambrosio.
Inter making 3 substitutions in the 62nd minute:
Goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo replacing goalkeeper Samir Handanovic
Defender Andrea Ranocchia replaced by defender Marco Andreolli
Real Madrid making 2 substitutions in the 66th minute:
Defender Pepe is replaced by Derik
Medrán is replaced by Omar Mascarell.
Inter pressing and creating goal opportunities. In the 67th minute it is M’Vila to challenge goalkeeper Jesus who deviated for a corner!
Penalty for Inter in the 67th minute conceded by after a foul on defender Vidic. Taking the penalty spot is forward Mauro Icardi converting it with a right footed shot while goalkeeper goes to the opposite direction.
In the 71st minute, Carvajal getting a yellow card after committing a foul again on Dodo’ pushing him, kicking him from behind!!!!
Inter making 2 substitutions in the 77th minute:
Dodo’ is replaced by defender Yuto Nagatomo
Obi is replaced by Khrin.
Midfielder Ruben Botta is replaced by Diego Laxalt
Inter pressing and looking better in these last minutes. In the 78th minute, Vidic with the first attempt, then, on the rebound there is Andreolli…..Real Madrid goalkeeper making two saves denying Inter the joy to shout a goal!!
Last minutes and both teams wanting to win this match. In the 82nd minute, midfielder Diego Laxalt missing his left footed shot a bit too high.
In the 84th minute goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo saving Mascarell shot protecting the result!
Inter making a substitution in the 89th minute:
We are going now to penalty shootouts……
Real Madrid 0 – 0 Inter, Francisco Isco with a right footed shot and goalkeeper Carrizo saves with one hand towards the right post.
Real Madrid 0 – 1 Inter, Vidic converts the penalty with a right footed shot while the goakeeper went to the opposite side.
Real Madrid 1 – 1 Inter, Lucas Vasquez converts with a soft right footed shot.
Real Madrid 1 – 1 Inter, defender Yuto Nagatomo right footed shot is saved by goalkeeper Jesus with one hand
Real Madrid 2 – 1 Inter, Nacho converts with a right footed shot
Real Madrid 2 – 1 Inter,
Real Madrid 2 – 1Inter, goalkeeper Carrizo saves with a foot the shot by Arizmendi.
Real Madrid 2 – 2 Inter, Juan Jesus converts the penalty
Real Madrid 2 – 2, Omar Mascarell failing to convert his right footed shot sending the ball over…. off target
Real Madrid 2 -3 Inter, Forward Mauro Icardi converts the winner penalty with a right footed shot
Click the video to watch the penalty shootouts Real Madrid vs Inter Milan, Saturday 26 July 2014, International Champions Cup
Here is Inter Milan official starting lineup by coach Walter Mazzarri:
Inter Milan: 1 Samir Handanovic; 2 Jonathan, 5 Juan Jesus, 9 Mauro Icardi, 15 Nemanja Vidic, 17 Zdravko Kuzmanovic, 19 Ruben Botta, 20 Joel Obi, 22 Dodo, 23 Andrea Ranocchia, 33 Danilo D’Ambrosio
Here is Real Madrid official starting lineup by coach Carlo Ancelotti:
OAKLAND – The wait is almost over. We’re into the final 24 hours before Inter kick off their Guinness International Champions Cup 2014 campaign against Real Madrid! After landing on the West Coast on Friday evening the team was given an enthusiastic welcome by Inter Club Northern California – setting the mood nicely as the Nerazzurri prepare to take on the reigning European champions. Kick-off is at 15:00 local time (midnight CET) at California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley.
