X

Inter vs. Paris Saint-Germain: Score and Reaction from 2016 ICC

Tom Beck@@twjbeckX.com LogoContributor IJuly 24, 2016

Paris Saint-Germain's new Spanish heach coach Unai Emery (R) gestures towards Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian defender David Luiz prior to their friendly football match against West Bromwich Albion in Schladming on July 13, 2016. / AFP / SAMUEL KUBANI        (Photo credit should read SAMUEL KUBANI/AFP/Getty Images)
SAMUEL KUBANI/Getty Images

Paris Saint-Germain comfortably downed Inter Milan 3-1 in the 2016 International Champions Cup at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, on Sunday afternoon.   

Right-back Serge Aurier opened the scoring for the Ligue 1 champions early on in the contest from close range before Stevan Jovetic pulled a goal back from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time.

The French outfit then created a cushion in the second period after a direct free-kick 25 yards out from left-back Layvin Kurzawa before Aurier wrapped up the win with his second goal of the game in the dying moments.

PSG head coach Unai Emery chose to select a weakened starting lineup for his side's opening match in the ICC. The former Sevilla boss named just four recognised first-team players, including captain Thiago Silva, Lucas Moura, Aurier and summer signing Hatem Ben Arfa.

SCHLADMING, AUSTRIA - JULY 13: Unai Emery, trainer of Paris St. Germain seen during a friendly match against West Bromwich Albion on July 13, 2016 in Schladming, Austria. (Photo by Marc Mueller/Getty Images)
Marc Mueller/Getty Images

In comparison, Inter manager Roberto Mancini named a strong starting XI for the friendly, with Rodrigo Palacio and Jovetic leading the line for the Nerazzurri.

The International Champions Cup provided footage of kick-off from inside the largely empty stadium in the Pacific Northwest on its official Twitter account:

International Champions Cup @IntChampionsCup

We have kickoff in Eugene! @Inter_en vs @PSG_inside. #ICC2016 https://t.co/MIl1bYsQ2Q

It didn't take long for the first goalmouth action, and with 14 minutes on the clock, the Parisians made the breakthrough. Surprisingly, the goal came via the unlikely outlet of Aurier following a foul to Jonathan Ikone 20 yards from goal.

Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder Adrien Rabiot (R) talks with Paris Saint-Germain's Ivorian defender Serge Aurier (L) prior to the French Cup final football match beween Marseille (OM) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on May 21, 2016 at the Stade de F
FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images

Maxwell’s whipped-low free-kick forced Samir Handanovic to get down quickly to his right, but the Slovenian goalkeeper could only parry the well-struck effort out to Ivory Coast international Aurier, who made no mistake from inside the six-yard box.

With five minutes to go until half-time, Inter almost grabbed an equaliser. Smart link-up play from Palacio and Jovetic eventually saw the former Manchester City forward strike a low shot into the corner of the net. But Brazilian defender Silva was on hand to hack the ball off the goal line.

MILAN, ITALY - APRIL 23:  Stevan Jovetic of FC Internazionale Milano looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale Milano and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 23, 2016 in Milan, Italy.  (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

However, in first-half stoppage time, Inter did get their goal after the official awarded them a penalty after a handball by Lucas Moura, who was looking to block a goalbound shot from Geoffrey Kondogbia. After some moments of confusion, the referee pointed to the penalty spot, and Jovetic stepped up to take the effort from 18 yards.

The Montenegrin attacker thundered an unstoppable penalty into the top corner of the net, leaving young goalkeeper Alphonse Areola with no chance of keeping his sheet clean.

PSG took the lead once again on the hour mark via another free-kick. Kurzawa struck a direct effort over the wall and into the corner of the net; however, Handanovic was once again at fault.

Enjoy Inter News provided footage of the decisive strike:

Enjoy Inter News @EnjoyInterNews

61' Fantastic goal from Kurzawa #PSG 2-1 #Inter #InterPSG https://t.co/6qD7TsNsQ0

The 32-year-old appeared sluggish across the ground and was too easily wrong-footed when Kurzawa lifted his effort to the side of the goal. 

Second-half substitute Edinson Cavani had a golden opportunity to put his name on the scoresheet after some horrible defending from the Inter backline. But after dancing through the heart of the Italians' defence, the Uruguay international shot wide of goal when he should have hit the target.

TOPSHOT - Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani celebrates after scoring a goal during the French Cup final football match beween Marseille (OM) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on May 21, 2016 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of
FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images

Cavani will be desperate to impress new boss Emery following the Parc des Princes exit of key man Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but the 29-year-old's habit of missing soft chances is a glaring problem in his overall gameplay.

PSG continued to control the tie and deservedly snatched a third goal in the dying moments. Aurier was once again the man who found the back of the net, as the marauding full-back found the corner with a fine header.

The French outfit dominated possession until the final whistle, professionally seeing out the game—as should be expected now they are under the tutelage of three-time UEFA Europa League-winning coach Emery.