Ivan Per-fect
AND CONTE TAKES DIG AT MOURINHO
IVAN PERISIC showed just why Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is desperate to sign him after the Inter ace sank Chelsea.
Another one-time Old Trafford target – £70 million striker Alvaro Mora ta– made his first start for the Blues. But he suffered a miserable time as Inter’s victory won the International Champions Cup in Singapore’s National Stadium. Croatia winger Perisic scored a fine goal and produced a dominant attacking display to send Antonio Conte’s men slumping to a second successive ICC loss.
New signing Morata had little opportunity to make a real impact while he was on the field, with the Spain striker’s only reward for his 65-minute show a few bumps and bruises courtesy of Inter’s tough tackling defenders. Chelsea were hoping his par t nership with Michy Batshuayi would help them bounce back from their 3-2 defeat by Bayern Munich.
But although Batshuayi missed a few chances and had a goal disallowed for offside late on, Morata was left frustrated. He also gave the Premier League champions a slight injury worry at when the Inter keeper fell awkwardly on top of him.
Germany defender Antonio Rudiger, signed from Roma, made his Chelsea debut from the bench early in the second half as goals either side of half-time left Chelsea cursing.
Former Manchester City striker Stevan Jovetic was quick to hit home the rebound after Thibault Courtois had saved his penalty – a spot kick unjustly awarded when Cesar Azpilicueta clearly won the ball while tackling Jovetic in the box.
Perisic (below), who Inter are refusing to sell to United, pounced for a second shortly after the break, firing in from an angle after a strong run into the box.
No wonder boss Luciano Spaletti says he will not be going to Old Trafford.
Conte will be delighted with his side’s response to going two down, if not their first-half defending. The Blues pounded the Inter goal in the final half-hour after defender Geoffrey Kondogbia’s laughable own-goal – an attempted 40-yard backpass that flew well over his keeper’s head and into the goal. Batshuayi had a potential equaliser disallowed a couple of minutes from time when he looked clearly onside. Conte said: “Two years ago Chelsea finished
10th – that cannot happen again. “We know the difficulty and for sure we want to avo i d the Mourinho season with Chelsea.” The Blues slumped in
2015-16 after winning the title and promptly sacked Mourinho.