During the international break, Inter Milan took part in a high-profile friendly against Spanish giants Atlético Madrid on Friday, October 10, 2025. The match, contested for the Reconstruction Cup – FDRL Cup, was held at the newly renovated Benghazi International Stadium in Libya and ended in a 1-1 stalemate after 90 minutes, with the Nerazzurri ultimately falling short in the subsequent penalty shootout. The contest served as a crucial test for Cristian Chivu’s squad and provided a compelling preview of the two clubs’ future meeting in the Champions League.
The Run of Play
Inter Milan started the match with a confident tempo, controlling possession in the early stages. They created the first significant opportunity of the game through a powerful strike from Ange-Yoan Bonny, which was well-saved by Atlético’s goalkeeper, Juan Musso. However, as the first half progressed, Diego Simeone’s side began to assert themselves and find their rhythm. Inter’s goalkeeper, Josep Martínez, was called into action on several occasions, making a series of impressive saves to keep the match level.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 35th minute. Atlético’s young forward, Carlos Martín, found space inside the penalty area and dispatched a clinical left-footed shot that left Martínez with no chance. The Spanish side took their 1-0 lead into the halftime break. Coming out for the second half, Inter Milan appeared re-energized, immediately pressing forward and seizing control of the game as they searched for an equalizer.
The Equalizer and Penalty Drama
Inter’s persistent pressure finally paid off in the 59th minute. From a perfectly delivered corner kick by Henrikh Mkhitaryan, towering defender Yann Bisseck rose highest to win the aerial duel, powering a header past Musso to level the score at 1-1. Buoyed by the goal, the Nerazzurri continued to create chances, with notable efforts from Iwo Kaczmarski and Richi Agbonifo, but they were unable to find a winning goal before the final whistle.
As per the friendly’s rules, the match went directly to a penalty shootout to decide a winner. In the tense showdown, Atlético Madrid proved to be the more composed side. They successfully converted four of their five spot-kicks, while for Inter, both Luis Henrique and Francesco Acerbi saw their efforts saved by Juan Musso. Atlético Madrid clinched the victory with a 4-2 shootout scoreline.
A Valuable Test for the Squad
Despite the defeat on penalties, the match provided valuable experience and crucial game time for Inter Milan, particularly for the players not away on international duty. The impressive second-half performance highlighted the squad’s character and depth. Earning a draw in normal time against a team of Atlético Madrid’s caliber is a positive takeaway and serves as an important foundation before the two clubs meet again when the stakes are much higher.