Inter pay friendly penalty Sunday 4 August, 2002
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Inter lost out in a tournament with Serie B side Sampdoria on penalties as the absence of Christian Vieri was sorely felt.
Disappointingly, all three games in the Genoa tournament ended goalless and went to a penalty shoot-out.
“It was a normal performance,” claimed Coach Hector Cuper, “but we were unable to spread the ball around very much.”
Physically the team appeared to be having problems, a worrying sign so close to the August 14 Champions’ League qualifier with Sporting Lisbon.
“Yes, Hertha Berlin were certainly faster than us. We were struggling a little, but the whole team is already concentrated on Lisbon.”
Inter won the first encounter with German side Hertha Berlin, a game that represented the debut of new buy Francesco Coco in defence.
Alvaro Recoba and Stephan Dalmat combined well, but Bernardo Corradi was unable to successfully convert his chances.
The shoot-out saw Francesco Toldo save from Dardai and Maas, while Coco also had his spot-kick saved by German ‘keeper Kiraly for a 5-3 victory.
Hertha Berlin also lost their match with Sampdoria on penalties, so the Serie B side went into the final with Inter.
Cuper introduced two youth players, Beati and Pasquale, with Mohamed Kallon and Gigi Di Biagio.
Once again there were few real goal-scoring opportunities in the absence of the injured Vieri. Former Chievo hero Corradi also backed out after sustaining a minor thigh problem during the tournament.
Sampdoria’s second choice goalkeeper Casazza hit the headlines during the shoot-out by saving from Alvaro Recoba and Ivan Cordoba for a 4-3 win in front of their home crowd.
Football Italia
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