Pavard Equaliser and Penalty Win Boost Inter’s Hong Kong Tour Opener | OneFootball

Inter beat Manchester City on penalties in Hong Kong after a 1-1 draw, with Aleksandar Stankovic and Benjamin Pavard delivering the standout performances of the Internazionale Summer Tour opener under Cristian Chivu.

Semenyo burst down the left and sent the ball into the box for Mubama to tap in and put City ahead in the first half. Pavard levelled at the 20-minute mark, turning in a right-footed finish after a Stankovic-to-Dimarco combination produced a series of deflections that left the ball at the Frenchman’s feet.

Benjamin Pavard in action for Inter Milan during a Champions League fixture.

The match stayed at 1-1 through 90 minutes and went straight to a shootout, where City’s record from the spot was wretched. Ait-Nouri fired over, Khusanov hit the post, and Provedel denied Nico Gonzalez, with Echeverri’s Panenka the only City conversion. Donnarumma did deny Frattesi for Inter, but Zielinski, Mosconi, and teenager Matteo Lavelli – the latter with a powerful right-footed finish down the middle – all converted to seal a 3-1 win in the shootout and give Inter the trophy.

Stankovic and Pavard Make Their Cases to Chivu

The scoreline was secondary to the individual statements made. Stankovic was among the most eye-catching performers on the pitch. The young Serbian started the match and, in the 23rd minute, made a driving run into the box and shot with his right foot, drawing an excellent save from Donnarumma. At the start of the second half, he won the ball high up the pitch before being replaced by Topalovic on the hour mark. According to TuttoMercatoWeb, both Stankovic and Pavard sent a message to Chivu with their performances in Hong Kong.

Inter Milan announces the signing of Aleksandar Stanković.

Then there is Pavard. His situation heading into this summer remains one to watch, and a strong first-half display capped by his equaliser only adds to the conversation around his future at the club.

Mosconi and Lavelli also contributed from the spot in the shootout, with both converting their penalties to help Inter claim the trophy. For Cristian Chivu, it was a first friendly to file away with clear satisfaction.