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Pre-season Friendlies
Jul 27, 2017 at 12.35pm UK
 
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Eder (8', 30')

Live Commentary: Bayern Munich 0-2 Inter Milan - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage of Inter Milan's 2-0 win over Bayern Munich, as the Bavarians rounded off their tour of Asia with another loss.
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Eder netted a couple of first-half headers to earn Inter Milan a straightforward 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in Singapore.

The Nerazzurri striker twice got ahead of his marker to convert from Antonio Candreva and Ivan Perisic crosses inside the opening 30 minutes.

Bayern looked livelier in the second half but failed to create any clear-cut chances of note, coming closest to pulling one back when Miranda forced a big save out of his own keeper late on.

Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.


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Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the International Champions Cup clash between Bayern Munich and Inter Milan at the Singapore National Stadium. This is the Bavarian club's last outing in this competition before heading back to Europe to complete their pre-season programme, with rather mixed results so far to say the least.

Bayern dominated Arsenal in their opening match of the friendly competition before conceding in the final seconds of normal time, allowing the Gunners to steal a bonus point on penalties. Then came a real thrashing at the hands of AC Milan, going down 4-0 to the rejuvenated Italians in Shenzhen to give Carlo Ancelotti some real thinking to do. The German champions were back to their best last time out, though, earning a 3-2 win over Chelsea to finally get off the mark.

Inter have played a handful of friendlies themselves, including two matches on this Far Eastern tour. After a 1-1 draw with Schalke 04 in Shenzhen last week they picked up a 1-0 win over Lyon last time out, setting them up nicely for this toughest test yet against Bayern. Recently-appointed boss Luciano Spalletti is still getting accustomed to his new players, so this should give us a glimpse of how much - or little - they have improved.

BAYERN MUNICH TEAM NEWS!

STARTING XI: Ulreich; Rafinha, Hummels, Gotze, Alaba; Tolisso, Dorsch; Coman, James, Ribery; Lewandowski

SUBS: Fruchtl, Hoffmann, Martinez, Muller, Friedl, Sanches, Wintzheimer, Pantovic


A quick turnaround in games was expected to be enough for Ancelotti to alter from his favoured XI, having stuck with a pretty settled starting lineup so far. That is not strictly the case, as we once again get a chance to see James Rodriguez, Franck Ribery and Kingsley Coman provide support for leading marksman Robert Lewandowski. Ribery has been superb so far during pre-season, while his attacking teammates showed signs of clicking in that win over Chelsea.

It is worth remembered that Bayern are not quite at full strength at the moment as Manuel Neuer, Arjen Robben and Jerome Boateng have all remained at home, while Thiago Alcantara and Juan Bernat recently picked up injuries to see their tour cut short. In Neuer's absence, retired goalkeeper Tom Starke has been called upon in two of the past three matches, but Sven Ulreich makes a welcome return between the sticks today.

Joshua Kimmich, Sebastian Rudy, Arturo Vidal and Niklas Sule have also yet to play a part for Bayern this summer due to their international commitments, yet this is still a very strong looking XI named by Ancelotti. There is a place for Gotze in defence, though it is not Mario but his younger brother Felix, who looks likely to start alongside the dependable Mats Hummels. Versatile David Alaba will start at left-back and Rafinha on the right.

While we await some team news from the Inter Milan camp, let us focus a little more on Bayern heading into the new campaign. The Bavarian giants are, as ever, strongly fancied to top the table in Germany having done so last term with a 15-point margin on RB Leipzig. The surprise package gave Bayern a little scare in the first half of the season, but they could not truly sustain that challenge throughout and it was a bit of a landslide in the end.

The true barometer of any heavyweight side's success comes down to how far they make it in the Champions League, though, and in Bayern's case it was not very far. Well, by their standards at least, as they crushed Arsenal in now typical fashion in the last 16 before losing 6-3 to Real Madrid over two legs in the following round. That was a real disappointment for Ancelotti against his former club, effectively ending his side's campaign in April.

There was a fear among supporters that this Bayern side had become a little too stale, relying on the same star names to fire them to glory. Ancelotti has responded to that criticism by making some shrewd signings during the off-season, bringing in Corentin Tolisso from Lyon for £35m and James Rodriguez on loan from Real Madrid for a fee of around £8m. Niklas Sule and Sebastian Rudy have also officially joined for a combined £17m after agreeing terms at the start of the year.

Throw into the mix the permanent arrival of Kingsley Coman from Juventus, plus the acquisition of Serge Gnabry - via a season's loan spell with Werder Bremen - and it is far to say that the Bavarians now look far fresher. Ancelotti, as experienced a manager as you will find anywhere on the continent, can essentially field two sides next season if he wishes, both of which would no doubt lift the Bundesliga title come the end of it.

Despite missing out on success in the Champions League and German Cup last season, Ancelotti can still be relatively happy with his debut campaign at the Allianz Arena. With the dust now settled on 2016-17, the experienced Italian tactician has added a Bundesliga crown to his collection, having previously tasted success in Serie A, the Premier League and Ligue 1 over the years. La Liga is the only major honour that has so far eluded him.

Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti gestures during the UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg football match Real Madrid CF vs FC Bayern Munchen at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on April 23, 2014© Getty Images


The Bayern boss has also won three Champions League crowns, of course, and he will be targeting a fourth in 2017-18. Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are expected to provide the Bavarians' sternest challenge for the domestic title, but ultimately second place appears to be the best that both of those sides can hope for, with Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke 04 tipped to battle it out for fourth.

Bayern ended last season in style, winning four matches in a row and scoring 16 goals in the process. They only look stronger heading into 2017-18, even if they have lost Philip Lahm and Xabi Alonso to retirement, though they have shipped goals for fun in Asia so far. The late Alex Iwobi header against Arsenal should never have been allowed to happen, while AC Milan knocked in four and Chelsea bagged a couple of their own, proving to be mere consolations in the end.

Ancelotti's men arguably deserved their three-goal lead against Chelsea a couple of days back, as they produced a strong showing to prove that their humbling at the hands of Milan was a one off. Pre-season is never about the results, of course, though it was a little worrying to see Bayern crumble against the Italian side. Still a few weeks to go before their league campaign kicks off, though, and there is a handful of regulars to integrate back into the fold before then.

Prior to beginning their Bundesliga title defence against Bayer Leverkusen on August 18, Bayern first face Borussia Dortmund in the German Super Cup a fortnight before hand and a lower-league opponent in the first stage of the German Cup. They should be into their groove by then as, after taking on Inter in Singapore today, they have a double-header of friendlies on home soil next week against Liverpool and one of Atletico Madrid or Napoli.

INTER MILAN TEAM NEWS!

STARTING XI: Handanovic; D'Ambrosio, Skriniar, Miranda, Nagatomo; Kondogbia, Borja Valero; Candreva, Joao Mario, Perisic; Eder

SUBS: Ansaldi, Berni, Biabiany, Brozovic, Emmers, Gabriel, Jovetic, Murillo, Gagliardini, Padelli, Pinamonti, Pissardo, Ranocchia, Rivas Lopez, Valietti, Vanheusden


Inter have a far larger tour squad than their opponents, so we can expect boss Spalletti to make a fair few changes as the match goes on. The big news as far as the Nerazzurri are concerned is that Manchester United-linked winger Ivan Perisic starts, just as Spalletti promised he would. The Croatia international is understood to be the Red Devils' top target at this stage, but he has been told that he will continue to play games for as long as he remains an Inter player.

Milan Skriniar and Borja Valero have both been integrated into the fold since joining earlier this summer, and both men again start in Singapore this afternoon. Young striker Andrea Pinamonti has also been given a chance to impress in Asia, but he is among the subs from the off for this biggest test yet against the reigning German champions. Italy international Eder leads the line, playing just off the trio of Antonio Candreva, Joao Mario and Perisic.

Mauro Icardi has yet to be used in pre-season and that will remain the case come full time today, as he is left out of the squad entirely - a sub appearance against Chelsea at the weekend could be the best bet for him. David Santon is the other notable absentee as he recovers from a calf injury, while Stevan Jovetic and Jenson Murillo - scorers in Inter's last two matches - are back-up options.

Recent reports suggest that Ivan Perisic is now Manchester United's top summer target, but the two sides have yet to reach an agreement over his valuation. Inter Milan boss Luciano Spalletti declared last week that the Croatia international will be given more game time than any other of his players during this tour of Asia in order to get his fitness up to peak levels, meaning another start in Singapore this afternoon.

Croatia's midfielder Ivan Perisic celebrates after scoring during the Group A football match between Cameroon and Croatia at The Amazonia Arena in Manaus on June 18, 2014© Getty Images


Inter have now spent six seasons outside the Serie A elite, finishing sixth, ninth, fifth, eighth, fourth and seventh since coming second in 2010-11. Prior to that they won five titles on the spin, while also claiming three Copas Italia and the Champions League under Jose Mourinho in 2010. Incredibly, they are onto their 11th different manager since then, getting through the likes of Rafael Benitez, Claudio Ranieri, Roberto Mancini and, most recently, Stefano Pioli.

Pioli was one of three managers at the San Siro helm last term, in fact, as Ancelotti was sacked a couple of weeks before a ball was kicked, while Ronald de Boer did not last all that much longer. That led to Stefan Vecchi being brought in for the final throes of the campaign to see things through; the Azzurri again falling short in the league to miss out on a place in Europe this coming term.

Spalletti was appointed in June on a two-year deal, which recent history suggests he will be lucky to see through. The ex-Roma manager departed the capital club after leading them to second place in 2016-17 with a record points haul, but finishing anywhere near the top-three elite this term will be an almighty task. Juventus, Roma and Napoli stormed well clear of the chasing pack last term, while rivals AC Milan have seriously strengthened in recent weeks.

Even improving on last season's seventh-placed finish looks like being an achievement, in fact, with most bookies having the Nerazzurri down to finish sixth. Skriniar is their biggest recruit of the off-season so far, splashing out £19.5m to sign him from Sampdoria, while Facundo Colidio and Borja Valero have come on board from Boca Juniors and Fiorentina respectively for a combined £10m. Smart additions, but it does not get the pulse racing in the same way as Milan's captures.

Inter have already played a handful of friendlies this summer, including two outings on the Asian leg of their tour against Schalke and Lyon. After being held to a 1-1 draw by the German side in Shenzhen last week, with Murillo scoring the leveller 73 minutes into the match, Jovetic struck fairly late on to earn a 1-0 win against Lyon in Nanjing on Monday. They now take on Bayern and Chelsea over the next two days.

After those testing matches against Bayern and Chelsea, focus turns to friendlies back in Europe vs. Spanish opposition Villarreal and Real Betis. It is all in preparation for the start of the new Serie A campaign, which begins on August 20 with a home clash against Fiorentina, before travelling to Roma the following weekend - a difficult start to the term, which Spalletti will hope ends with a place in Europe.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Bayern Munich and Inter Milan are no strangers to meeting in high-profile summer friendlies, having faced off almost a year ago to the day in North Carolina. The Bavarians came out on top comfortable 4-1 winners on that occasion, with young American attacker Julian Green - now at Stuttgart - scoring a first-half hat-trick. They have met seven times in competitive European competition, meanwhile, winning three matches apiece and drawing the other.

The most famous of those recent encounters was played out at the Bernabeu in Madrid seven years ago, as Diego Milito netted a goal in either half to famously win the Champions League for Inter Milan. The victory was particularly enjoyed by then-manager Jose Mourinho, who became just the third man in history to lift the trophy with two separate clubs, since joined by Carlo Ancelotti who has won it with AC Milan and Real Madrid.

Both sets of players have made their way onto the field of play, with kickoff at the Singapore National Stadium a little over five minutes away now. One final high-profile friendly for Bayern Munich before heading home to take on Liverpool early next week, while Inter Milan face the Bavarians and Chelsea in the next 48 hours or so as they up their own preparations for the season ahead.

Bayern Munich's Polish striker Robert Lewandowski celebrates after he scores the second goal for Munich during the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund in Munich, southern Germany, on October 4, 2015© Getty Images


KICKOFF! We are up and running in Singapore! Bayern showing five changes to their starting lineup from that win over Chelsea while Inter, with one eye on their own meeting with the Blues in two days' time, make three alterations.

Eder is clean through on goal with a teammate up alongside him, but the official correctly raised his offside flag before the Italian striker could get a shot away. Bayern's high line fell apart from set-piece plays against Milan.

Inter seeing far more of the ball in the opening five minutes of the match, working it around well in the final third. Perisic opts to have a drive from 22 yards out, which is blasted straight into an opposition player and cleared.

SAVE! From pretty much nowhere Bayern spark into life, with Ribery - their star performer on the Asian leg of this summer tour - cutting in from the byline and testing Handanovic with a well-struck shot on target. Good save!

GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 0-1 INTER MILAN (EDER)

Bayern have been on top for the past few minutes but it is Inter who have the breakthrough goal, courtesy of a fine header from Eder. Tasked with leading the line today, the striker allowed Candreva's right-sided cross to bounce, before getting ahead of Felix Gotze and picking out the top corner.

Not the best defending from Felix Gotze, the younger brother of Mario, but credit to Eder for making the most of his first sight of goal. That will have knocked Bayern off the stride somewhat as they were looking lively in the minutes beforehand.

SAVE! That is eight goals conceded by Bayern now in their three-and-a-quarter matches in this friendly competition. Rafinha has had a go from 30 yards out but Handanovic barely had to break a stride to collect down low.

Bayern have pretty much dominated possession since going behind against the run of play. Inter with a chance to break a few moments ago, but Felix Gotze this time tracked Eder inside the box and got to the right-sided cross first.

Ribery's shot on goal fairly early on the closest Bayern have come to a goal so far. Rafinha also had an attempt from long range but that was easily dealt with by Handanovic down to his right. Fairly lively encounter in Singapore so far.

Good feet from James Rodriguez and nearly the perfect through-ball for Ribery, but he could not quite get the right amount of pace on the ball and it was cleared away. Ancelotti will be happy enough with his side's response since going behind.

Rodriguez again involved in Bayern's latest attack, lofting a ball towards the back post area for Coman to nod over under pressure. Inter having to hold on a little but they are doing exactly what is required to keep their lead intact.

Ribery appeared to have gotten away from his man down the right, only for big summer signing Skriniar to recover and defend the cross for a corner. Lewandowski headed a cross into the mix from the next attack but was flagged for offside.

Kondogbia eats up the ball to help turn defence into attack, though Inter fail to make the most of their opportunity with the move breaking down. Pretty balanced contest on the basis of the past five minutes or so in Singapore.

The Bavarians starting to knock the door as a cross into the box post is nodded wide by James Rodriguez. For all their possession the German champions failing to really ask too many questions of opposition keeper Handanovic.

Tolisso lines up the shot from more than 30 yards out, sending it wide of Handanovic's target - a poor attempt. Not quite happening for Ancelotti's men at the moment, still finding themselves trailing to that early Eder header.

GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 0-2 INTER MILAN (EDER)

Another impressive delivery and another impressive header from Eder - 2-0 to Inter with a little over half an hour played. Like Candreva before him, Perisic swung in a delightful cross from out wide for Eder to attack, making the most of the acres of space afforded to him.

A chance for Ancelotti to reflect on the poor defending from his side as we pause for a drinks break. Around 30°C in Singapore at the moment, despite it being late at night. Could be a further blow now as Ribery appears to have picked up an injury.

BAYERN MUNICH SUB! Franck Ribery has hobbled down the tunnel with the help of a could of the backroom staff - a serious blow for Bayern ahead of the new season. Milos Pantovic is the player to come on in his place.

Eder is played through for his hat-trick after timing his run to perfection, but the linesman saw it differently and raised his flag. Bayern can consider themselves fortunate not to be three down heading into the half-time interval.

Robben and now Ribery injury, could Bayern go all out to land Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal? Pre-season results may well strengthen Ancelotti's hand in a strange way, despite already being handed £40m to bring in Tolisso from Lyon.

Pantovic with an audacious attempt which fails to find the target. Half time now three minutes or so away at the Singapore National Stadium and Bayern have not done enough to trouble opposition keeper Handanovic since Ribery's early effort.

Lone striker Eder with yet another header when picked out in space, but this time it was aimed at an opposition player - his movement has been terrific in the opening 45 minutes. Up the other end, Coman's cross is too close to Handanovic.

Three minutes have been added on at the end of the first half, which has just petered out a little since Eder's second of the afternoon. Inter in a dominant position, but will Spalletti make a raft of alterations at the break?

HALF TIME: BAYERN MUNICH 0-2 INTER MILAN

The referee blows his whistle for half time, meaning that Inter Milan will take a comfortable two-goal advantage into the break. Bayern Munich saw more of the ball and created more openings, but their opponents took both chances that fell their way through lone striker Eder.

Bayern saw plenty of the ball in the opening stages of the match, creating a good chance through Franck Ribery after he cut in from the byline and tested Samir Handanovic with a well-taken shot down the middle. Moments later the ball was in the net at the other end of the field, though, as Antonio Candreva's cross was allowed to bounce inside the box and Eder was there to punish Felix Gotze - younger brother of Mario - with a smart header.

The Bavarians were struggling to create too many clear-cut openings in the first half, instead being restricted to a weak Rafinha effort on target from range and a missed back-post header from Kingsley Coman. Inter had no such trouble getting in behind their opponents, however, with Eder again timing his run to perfection to this time convert with his head from an Ivan Perisic cross on the left.

Eder should have been in for a third before the half-time interval, only for the officials to wrongly adjudge that he was offside, while Bayern's misery was further compounded when Ribery - the star man of their tour - hobbled down the tunnel with an injury. Two goals in it at the break, then, with the Bundesliga champions having it all to do in the remaining 45 minutes.

Here is a quick reminder of the options available to both managers at the midway point. Far more options for Spalletti to choose from, including recent goalscorers Jovetic and Murillo, but Ancelotti arguably has more quality in his ranks.

BAYERN MUNICH SUBS: Fruchtl, Hoffmann, Martinez, Muller, Friedl, Sanches, Wintzheimer

INTER MILAN SUBS: Ansaldi, Berni, Biabiany, Brozovic, Emmers, Gabriel, Jovetic, Murillo, Gagliardini, Padelli, Pinamonti, Pissardo, Ranocchia, Rivas Lopez, Valietti, Vanheusden

Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller reacts after missing a penalty in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid on May 3, 2016© AFP


RESTART! We are back under way at the Singapore National Stadium, where Ancelotti has indeed shuffled his pack slightly. Thomas Muller, sporting a bandage on his right arm, in one of four players to come on - Sanches, Martinez and Friedl joining him.

CHANCE! Early chance for Coman, who steered the ball into a defender on the line, before Lewandowski blasted wide from the rebound. James Rodriguez, Tolisso, Hummels and Rafinha the players to make way in those half-time changes, incidentally.

Brilliant play from Perisic to charge the length of the field. The Croatian had five players in pursuit of him and nowhere to go, yet he still made the most of the situation to win a free kick high in the opposition half.

CLOSE! From the free kick Joao Mario nearly catches Ulreich out, sending the ball into the side-netting from a tight angle. Inter have made an early second-half change, replacing double scorer Eder with Brazilian ace Gabriel Barbosa.

Bayern created that chance for Coman early in the half but since then Inter have been the more dominant force. Plenty of defending for the German to do over the past five minutes or so, as they try to keep themselves in the game.

Inter players are not happy with Dorsch's fairly strong challenge on Valero. The referee deals with the situation well by giving the guilty party a little talking to. Nearly an hour played in Singapore and Bayern still trail by two goals.

Joao Mario so nearly waltzes his way through on goal, but Felix Gotze does just about enough to block off his run and Ulreich can collect. Both teams looking to attack in a pretty frantic opening 15 minutes or so to this second half.

Coman has been Bayern's best player this afternoon, again getting to the byline after taking on his man and cutting it back for Tolisso on the edge of the box. Poor attempt, with the ball sailing high over the crossbar in the end.

Half a chance for Perisic after Bayern again switched off when defending a cross into the box. The winger soon saw the space in front of him shut out by half-time sub Friedl, though, and could only shoot wide of the target.

We are fast approaching the final quarter of the match and, despite both teams going all-out attack so far, we are no closer to seeing a third goal of the match. Spalletti may be considering a batch of changes around about now.

SHOT! Candreva with an attempt on goal, but it was right at Ulreich in the Bayern goal. Up the other end, Muller's cross from the right is pounced on down low by Handanovic, who has looked very steady this afternoon.

INTER MILAN SUBS! Candreva, Joao Mario and Valero have been replaced by Biabiany, Brozovic and Gagliardini in a triple change by Luciano Spalletti. Nine changes made now in total by both managers combined, with 22 minutes left to play.

BAYERN MUNICH SUBS! Coman has been superb in this second period, giving Inter's defenders all sorts of problems down the left. A cross comes in at the end of it but it is well blocked behind, as Hoffmann comes on for Ulreich for some rare playing time. Wintzheimer also on for Lewandowski.

Time fast running out for Bayern to bag themselves a couple of goals in this final match on their Far East tour. Not been a great deal of chances in this second half but they have looked fairly lively in the final third of the field.

CLOSE! Renato Sanches is waiting for his Bayern career to kick into life, and he so nearly saw that happen with a long-range strike. From all of 40 yards out the ball bounced awkwardly in front of Handanovic, but ended slightly wide.

Not the best of tours as far as Ancelotti is concerned, seeing his side draw against Arsenal in normal time and fall to defeats against AC Milan and now more than likely Inter Milan. The win over Chelsea last time out a rare highlight for the Italian and his men.

Action resumes following a short drinks break at the Singapore National Stadium, where the temperature is now 29°C. While results have not been great for Bayern's players, their fitness levels will no doubt have improved considerably.

SAVE! Unbelievable save from Handanovic to keep out his own defender! Miranda turned Muller's cross towards his own goal, despite having enough time to compose himself, forcing a big reaction stop out of his goalkeeper.

Pretty frantic defending at the back for Inter at the moment, having looked so assured for large parts of the game. Bayern just not getting the luck of the draw this afternoon, as they stare another defeat right in the face.

INTER MILAN SUBS! Ansaldi, Murillo and Pinamonti have been introduced for the final stages of the match, taking over from D'Ambrosio, Miranda and Perisic. Spalletti could well start each of them against Chelsea on Saturday.

Bayern have barely managed to register an attempt in this second half, with Miranda's fluffed clearance the closest they have come to pulling one back. Still around four minutes plus added time to change the complexion of the match.

Wintzheimer with a challenge on Skriniar, leaving his opponent in need of some medical treatment. Nothing too serious, though, and after a short stoppage we are back up and running in this International Champions Cup clash.

INTER MILAN SUB! Nagatomo and Skriniar are hauled off as we enter added time, replaced by Ranocchia and Valietti. That will likely be that in terms of alterations, as we only have a couple more minutes of the game to play.

FULL TIME: BAYERN MUNICH 0-2 INTER MILAN

A fairly straightforward 2-0 victory for Inter Milan in the end, then, thanks to those two first-half headers from lively striker Eder. Bayern Munich looked livelier in the second half but struggled to create anything of note, falling to a third defeat in four tour games.

That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events from the Singapore National Stadium. An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, and if you are after more football action then be sure to join us later this evening for updates from Everton's Europa League tie. See you then!

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