Inter take Under-18 honours

Two goals from Denis Alibec gave FC Internazionale Milano victory against FC Bayern München in the Under-18 Challenge match, a key part of UEFA Grassroots Day.

Three days before their senior sides meet in the UEFA Champions League final, Fulvio Pea's Inter began at breakneck speed at the home of Real Madrid Castilla, Alibec applying the finishing touch to a slick move in only the second minute. Dominik Burusic twice threatened an equaliser from distance before half-time and Dejan Janjatovic struck the crossbar with a fine second-half free-kick, but Bayern's fate was sealed when Alibec doubled Inter's advantage 11 minutes from time.

Inter made the perfect start, a well-worked move catching Bayern cold. Lorenzo Crisetig's left-wing cross was headed down by Simone Dell'Agnello and Alibec stole a march on the defence to touch past Henning Bortel from close range. Bayern responded strongly, Andreas Voglsammer dragging a shot wide from near the penalty spot. Rico Strieder brought a good save from Raffaele De Gennaro in the Inter goal before Burusic curled against the crossbar from the edge of the area.

It was not all one-way traffic, however, Dell'Agnello twice narrowly missing the target with headed attempts. The Inter No9 went even closer on the half-hour after breaking down the right; it took Bortel's block with his right foot to keep Bayern in the game. Not to be outdone, De Gennaro produced an equally eye-catching save with the interval approaching, flinging himself to his right to touch over another powerful Burusic effort from distance.

The second period began with Bayern captain Mino Kayser pushing forward from right-back to put in a series of dangerous crosses while Janjatovic became the second Bayern player to be denied by the crossbar with a curling 20-metre free-kick. Although Bortel spectacularly palmed over a deflected effort from Alen Stevanovic, Inter would not be denied. Alibec played a one-two with the powerful Stevanovic before rounding the goalkeeper to score the clinching second.