The sky of Bari was the backdrop, the San Nicola the stage. An August friendly that had the feel of a dress rehearsal, with legs searching for sharpness and ideas intertwining on the pitch. Inter beat Olympiacos 2–0, showing flashes of quality and fluid patterns of play. Dimarco and Thuram found the net in what was a useful test in front of a warm Puglian crowd.
The match began at a high tempo. Olympiacos threatened from a set-piece, with Kalogeropoulos heading over. A few minutes later, Strefezza fired wide with a right-footed effort. It was a warning sign, but Inter responded in style. In the 16th minute, Thuram threaded a pass through to Lautaro. The captain then squared it to Dimarco, who was left with a simple tap-in. A goal that was full of understanding, speed and beauty: a small manifesto of Chivu’s team. Inter were in control and looking to create. Thuram broke away again, but Lautaro failed to hit the target from close range. On the follow-up, Pavard’s attempt lacked power. Strefezza threatened once more with a shot that went just past the post. The two teams went into the break with Inter one to the good.
The second half resumed along the same lines: Inter were controlling proceedings, while Olympiacos were looking for space but struggling to find it. Lautaro had a chance to double the Nerazzurri’s lead but shot over the bar (51′). Just two minutes later, Thuram led a counter-attack and played it to Dumfries, whose shot was saved by the goalkeeper. However, the Frenchman, full of instinct and speed, was there to fire home on the rebound and make it 2-0 to Inter.
From then on, the match became a stage for the youngsters: Pio Esposito and Bonny came on and immediately got involved. They combined in the 74th minute, only for Tzolakis to turn the ball behind for a corner. Two minutes later, Pio Esposito tried again, but his strike was blocked by the Greek defence. In the 87th minute, Bisseck picked out Bonny, who was unable to direct his effort on target. The final whistle confirmed Inter’s victory: 2-0, a solid performance, and plenty of enthusiasm in the stands. Another step in the summer preparations, with the team continuing to build momentum and confidence ahead of the matches that really count.
INTER 2-0 OLYMPIACOS | LIVE
Goalscorers: 16′ Dimarco (I), 53′ Thuram (I).
INTER (3-5-2): 1 Sommer; 28 Pavard (31 Bisseck 60′), 15 Acerbi (6 De Vrij 71′), 95 Bastoni (36 Darmian 71′); 2 Dumfries (59 Zalewski 81′), 23 Barella (21 Asllani 81′), 8 Sucic (20 Calhanoglu 60′), 22 Mkhytarian (7 Zielinski 60′), 32 Dimarco (11 Luis Henrique 28′); 9 Thuram (94 P. Esposito 71′), 10 Lautaro Martinez (14 Bonny 71′). Substitutes: 12 Di Gennaro, 13 Martinez. Head Coach: Cristian Chivu.
OLYMPIACOS (4-2-3-1): 88 Tzolakis; 20 Costinha, 6 Kalogeropoulos, 4 Biancone (5 Pirola 71′), 70 Onyemaechi; 14 Dani Garcia, 96 Mouzakitis (16 Scipioni 81′); 27 Strefezza (9 El Kaabi 71′), 8 Diogo Nascimento 90 Cabella; 97 Yazici. Substitutes: 31 Botis, 67 Liatsikouras. Head Coach: José Luis Mendilibar.
Booked: Barella (I), Onyemaechi (O), Lautaro (I).
Referee: Ivano Pezzuto Assistants: Vito Mastrodonato-Mattia Politi
LIVE UPDATES
FULL-TIME: INTER 2-0 OLYMPIACOS 90′ – Three minutes added on. 87′ – Bisseck picks out Bonny, who skews his shot wide. 76′ – Bisseck finds Pio Eposito, who shoots towards goal, but it’s blocked by the Greek defence. 74′ – Pio Esposito lays it off for Bonny, whose first-time effort is turned behind for a corner by Tzolakis. 53′ – GOOOAAAALLLL! Dumfries’ effort is saved, but Thuram scores on the rebound! 2-0! 51′ – The ball drops to Lautaro in the box, but he fails to find the target. 46′ – The second half kicks off!
HALF-TIME: INTER 1-0 OLYMPIACOS 34′ – Thuram sets up Lautaro, who can’t quite convert from close range. Moments later, Pavard fires weakly into the goalkeeper’s arms. 20′ – Strefezza has another attempt. Again, it goes wide. 16′ – GOOOAAAALLLLL! Lautaro rolls it across for Dimarco to tap home! 1-0 to Inter! 15′ – Strefezza fires wide from inside the box. 6′ – Kalogeropoulos heads over from a free-kick. 1′ – Kick-off!
