Semenyo shines as City fall to Inter in penalty drama
While Manchester City moves forward under new boss Enzo Maresca after Pep Guardiola’s farewell, Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo seized the spotlight in the club’s first pre‑season fixture, a penalty‑shootout loss to Internazionale on Saturday. The match, part of a series of friendlies ahead of the new season, highlighted the contrast between a changing coaching staff and an emerging attacking threat.
Vandaag om 15:32 the update noted that Manchester City began Saturday’s schedule against Internazionale with a defeat after a penalty shoot‑out, marking the start of their pre‑season run.
For Enzo Maresca, the duel with Inter was his first match as manager of Manchester City. The Italiaanse successor and former assistant of Pep Guardiola made his official debut on 16 August in the Engelse Super Cup, where Kampioen Arsenal was the opponent.
Maresca could not call upon the rested Erling Haaland or the recently operated Rodri, the match‑winner of the final three years ago, for the Inter encounter.
Tijjani Reijnders played a half in the replay of the 2023 Champions League-finale, starting in midfield alongside Mateo Kovacic and Phil Foden.
The most notable City player was without doubt Antoine Semenyo. The Ghanaian attacker troubled the Inter defence and opened the match in the 14th minute. After a superb outside action, Semenyo helped Divin Mubama to a big chance and the young Englishman struck, putting City 1‑0 up.
Inter answered six minutes later when Federico Dimarco delivered the ball into the danger zone and Benjamin Pavard equalised, making it 1‑1.
Inter held a slight edge in the first half, but City took the initiative after the break. Vitor Reis came close to a 2‑1 lead for City but struck the post.
No further goals were scored in the friendly, which saw many substitutions by Maresca and Inter coach Cristian Chivu. Because the Asahi Cup was at stake, the match went to penalties. The Citizens missed three spot‑kicks, and 19‑year‑old Matteo Lavelli converted the decisive penalty for Inter.
Inter will open its season on Saturday 22 August with the first competitive match against Monza.