The Saudi Pro League club are heading into the match o the back of a hard-fought goalless draw against Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday.
Inter Milan will begin their preparations for the 2023-24 campaign with a pre-season friendly against Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr at Nagai Stadium in Osaka on Thursday. The Saudi Pro League club are heading into the match o the back of a hard-fought goalless draw against Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday. Inter, who had reached the final of the UEFA Champions League last term, but narrowly lost out to Manchester City, would be aiming to cross the final hurdle in the continental competition this time around. Al Alami, meanwhile, finished second in the 2022-23 Saudi top flight standings.
Colpito e affondato 😂#ForzaInter #InterJapanTour2023 pic.twitter.com/wcljVcM86f
— Inter (@Inter) July 26, 2023
Although, Inter Milan had a disappointing 2022-23 Serie A season, finishing third in the table, with 72 points to their name from 38 games, 18 points adrift of champions Napoli, they were brilliant in the Cup competitions, winning the Copa del Rey and Italian Super Cup titles, while finished runner-ups in the Champions League. Simone Inzaghi’s side lost the continental final courtesy of Rodri’s lone strike in the second-half. Meanwhile, in addition to striker Romelu Lukaku’s on-off relationship with Inter, the likes of Milan Skriniar, Marcelo Brozovic and Andre Onana have left the club this summer. World Cup-winning striker Lautaro Martinez has been persuaded to stay, while Marcus Thuram, Davide Frattesi and Juan Cuadrado have arrived at the San Siro this summer. Inter will kickoff their 2023-24 Serie A season against Monza on August 19.
Al-Nassr, on the other hand, have already played five pre-season friendlies this summer, starting with back-to-back wins against Alverca and SC Farense, before losing two consecutive matches against Celta Vigo and Benfica in Portugal. Meanwhile, since arriving in Japan, Faris Najd managed to earn a 0-0 draw against the Parisians on Tuesday. Luis Castros’ side will start their upcoming Saudi Pro League campaign against Al Ettifaq mid-way through next month. Off late Al Nassr have been breaking transfer records, starting with the big money purchase of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United last year, while the likes of Marcelo Brozovic, Seko Fofana and Alex Telles have been the latest join the Saudi outfit.
Inter Milan probable starting lineup: F. Stankovic; De Vrij, Bisseck, Bastoni; Cuadrado, Frattesi, Asllani, Calhanoglu, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Al-Nassr probable starting lineup: Al-Aqidi, S. Al Ghannam, Oujami, Al-Amri, Telles, Brozovic, Fofana, K. Al Ghannam, Talisca, Ghareeb, Ronaldo
Inter Milan
Opponents | Score |
Manchester City | 1-0 (L) |
Torino | 0-1 (W) |
Atlanta | 3-2 (W) |
Fiorentina | 1-2 (W) |
Napoli | 3-1 (L) |
Al-Nassr
Opponents | Score |
PSG | 0-0 (D) |
Benfica | 4-1 (L) |
Celta Vigo | 5-0 (L) |
SC Farense | 5-1 (W) |
Alverca | 2-0 (W) |
The pre-season friendly between Inter Milan and Al Nassr will take place at Nagai Stadium on Thursday at 3:50 pm IST.
Inter Milan vs Al Nassr | Key Details |
Date | July 27 |
Venue | Nagai Stadium |
Kickoff time in Japan | 7:20 pm |
Kickoff time in Italy | 12:20 pm |
Kickoff time in Saudi Arabia | 1:20 pm |
Kickoff time in India | 3:50 pm |
The live telecast of the pre-season friendly between Inter Milan and Al Nassr in India will be available on Sports 18 network. Meanwhile, football fans in Japan and Saudi Arabia can catch the live action via Lemino and SSS respectively. And those in Italy can watch the match on DAZN, NOW TV, Sky Go Italia, sky Sport Calcio and sky Sport 251.
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