Inter triumphed over Gianluigi Donnarumma‘s Manchester City in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 stalemate during their pre-season friendly, with Benjamin Pavard equalizing to cancel out an opener from Divin Mubamba.
The match took place in Hong Kong, reminiscent of the 2023 Champions League Final and a group stage encounter from last season. Enzo Maresca has stepped in as the new head coach for Manchester City, featuring Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal.
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Francesco Pio Esposito nearly scored early in the third minute, stretching for a low cross but sending it just past the post.
HONG KONG, CHINA – AUGUST 1: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City makes a save during the pre-season friendly against Inter Milan at Kai Tak Stadium, August 1, 2026. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Pep Martinez denied a close-range attempt from Tijjani Reijnders, but Manchester City broke the deadlock when Divin Mubama tapped in a low cross rolled across the box by Antoine Semenyo.
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Semenyo showed his strength against Andy Diouf, forcing another fine save from Martinez. Inter responded, with Donnarumma initially turning away an attempt from Federico Dimarco, although he couldn’t stop the follow-up from Pavard.
Aleksandar Stankovic surged forward, testing Donnarumma with an angled shot, and shortly after the break, Donnarumma again had to react quickly against the Serbian forward.
HONG KONG, CHINA – AUGUST 1: Donnarumma attempts to retrieve the ball following a shot from Inter Milan during the pre-season match at Kai Tak Stadium on August 1, 2026. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Youth player Mattia Mosconi missed a volley from Davide Frattesi‘s delivery, while Manchester City struck the crossbar through Rayan Ait-Nouri from a corner.
As Inter increasingly sat back, Manchester City capitalized with their superior bench strength, hitting the woodwork again from a drive by Ryan McAidoo.
Despite defending deep, Cristian Chivu’s squad still posed threats on the counter, notably when a half-volley from Leonardo Bovio was blocked.
HONG KONG, CHINA – AUGUST 1: Head coach Enzo Maresca of Manchester City reacts during the pre-season match against Inter Milan. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
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The match concluded with a penalty shootout in Hong Kong, beginning with Ait-Nouri sending his kick over the stands, followed by Abdukodir Khusanov hitting the post.
Donnarumma saved a penalty from his fellow Italy teammate Davide Frattesi, while Ivan Provedel kept out Nico Gonzalez’s effort. Ultimately, Claudio Echeverri was the only Manchester City player to find the net against Provedel.
Manchester City 1-1 Inter
Mubamba 14 (M), Pavard 20 (I)
Penalties: Ait-Nouri (Miss, M), Zielinski (Goal, I), Khusanov (Miss, M), Frattesi (Saved, I), Nico Gonzalez (Saved, M), Mosconi (Goal, I), Echeverri (Goal, M), Lavelli (Goal, I)
Manchester City: Donnarumma; Lewis, Khusanov, Gvardiol (Reis 46), Mfuni (McAidoo 46); Kovacic (Alleyne 46), Reijnders (Nico Gonzalez 46); Semenyo (Sangare 70), Foden (Echeverri 70), Savinho (Heskey 78); Mubama (Ait-Nouri 46)
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Inter: J Martinez (Provedel 60); Pavard (Bovio 68), Bisseck (Maye 78), Carlos Augusto; Diouf (Luis Henrique 46), Barella (Frattesi 46), Stankovic (Topalovic 60), Mkhitaryan (Zielinski 46), Dimarco (Bastoni 46); Esposito (Lavelli 68), Iddrissou (Mosconi 46)