Dimarco Stars in Inter Milan's 2-1 Friendly Win over Juventus

Federico Dimarco of Inter Milan reacts during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester City and Inter Milan in the Hong Kong Football Festival 2026 at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong, China, 01 August 2026. EPA/WUN SUEN

Asharq Al Awsat

14:48-8 August 2026 AD ـ 25 Safar 1448 AH

Asharq Al Awsat

14:48-8 August 2026 AD ـ 25 Safar 1448 AH

Dimarco Stars in Inter Milan's 2-1 Friendly Win over Juventus

Star Federico Dimarco continued his strong pre-season form and Frenchman Andy Diouf hit the target as Serie A champions Inter Milan defeated Juventus 2-1 in Perth on Saturday.

Dimarco opened the scoring in the 20th minute in front of 50,325 fans in brisk conditions, before 23-year-old Diouf doubled Inter's advantage in the second half.

Francisco Conceicao produced a late highlight for Juventus when he finished superbly in the 85th minute.

The 28-year-old Dimarco is rounding into top gear, having also scored Inter's only goal in their 1-1 draw with rival AC Milan on the same ground on Wednesday.

Having impressed in goal against AC Milan, new signing Ivan Provedel kept a clean sheet before being substituted midway through the second half.

Juventus rued sloppy finishing and their methodical style of play did not trouble Inter, who bagged the Italian domestic double last season.

Juventus, who finished sixth in last season's Serie A, entered unbeaten in the pre-season, which included beating Chelsea 1-0 in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

Rising Turkish winger Kenan Yildiz started, having come off the bench against Chelsea amid reports that he has been battling a knee injury.

In what has become their brand under coach Luciano Spalletti, Juventus were patient in the early exchanges and played along the flanks.

But Inter were not flustered and made their move when Dimarco tapped in a sharp cross from Ange-Yoan Bonny.

Inter took control only to be denied by goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, who completed several outstanding saves, AFP reported.

After a quiet start, Yildiz attempted to spark his side before the interval but his bullet from outside the box was off target.

Both coaches rang the changes at the break, including Dimarco after he played the entire game against AC Milan.

Inter continued to press and were rewarded in the 62nd minute when Diouf hit the back of the net after finishing off a crisp pass from Pio Esposito, who is reportedly being courted by Manchester United and Arsenal.

Juventus attempted a late rally when Conceicao scored, but it wasn't enough.

They round out the Perth friendlies against Serie B team Palermo on August 11, while Inter wrap up their pre-season against Real Betis in Bari on August 15.

The Serie A season starts on August 22.

Hadjar Back for Red Bull at Azerbaijan GP

FILE - Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar prepares for the first practice ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Nov. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)

Asharq Al Awsat

10:33-22 September 2026 AD ـ 11 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448 AH

Asharq Al Awsat

10:33-22 September 2026 AD ـ 11 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448 AH

Hadjar Back for Red Bull at Azerbaijan GP

French racer Isack Hadjar will make his Formula One return this weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after missing the last three races, his Red Bull team said on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old missed GPs in the Netherlands, Italy and Spain, and was replaced by New Zealander Liam Lawson.

He had injured his wrist in training over the summer break.

"Oracle Red Bull Racing is delighted to welcome Isack back this weekend," the team said in social media posts, according to AFP.

"Having made a successful recovery from his wrist injury, Isack will return to action at the Baku City circuit on Thursday."

Lawson will return to the sister Racing Bulls team this weekend.
Japan's Yuki Tsunoda had filled in for Lawson during the last three Grand Prix.

Lawson scored 14 points during his Red Bull secondment, while Tsunoda managed a single point in the Racing Bulls seat.

Sports

Zidane Leads First France Training Session

France's head coach Zinedine Zidane takes part in a training session four days ahead of France's UEFA Nations League football match against Türkiye in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines outside Paris, on September 21, 2026. (AFP)

00:00-22 September 2026 AD ـ 11 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448 AH

Zidane Leads First France Training Session

Zinedine Zidane oversaw his first training session with the France national team on Monday as Les Bleus prepared for the start of the new Nations League campaign.

Under the gaze of some 50 journalists, the 1998 World Cup winner led a dozen of his players through a light training session at the country's national football center, Clairefontaine.

With many of France's stars in action with their clubs across Europe last weekend, not all of Zidane's 23-man squad were present.

Michael Olise, Eduardo Camavinga, Jules Kounde and Dayot Upamecano featured in the 12-strong group but captain Kylian Mbappe, who played in Real Madrid's derby loss to Atletico Madrid on Sunday, was a notable absentee.

Zidane was joined for the session by his assistant David Bettoni, who worked alongside him at Real Madrid, and former team-mate from the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000-winning sides, Fabien Barthez, who is France's goalkeeping coach.

The session concluded with a short practice match, followed by shots on goal from crosses delivered by Zidane himself.

France face four Nations League fixtures following this first training camp of the Zidane era: away matches in Türkiye and Belgium on September 25 and 28, followed by home matches against Italy and Belgium at the Stade de France in early October.

Sports

Infantino Proposes Consulting Federations to Reform FIFA

13 July 2025, US, East Rutherford: FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the DAZN pre-match interview ahead of the Club World Cup final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Metlife Stadium. (dpa)

23:45-21 September 2026 AD ـ 10 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448 AH

Infantino Proposes Consulting Federations to Reform FIFA

FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Monday suggested a "consultation" with the member federations to reform the world football governing body's decision-making processes, in a letter addressed to the 211 member associations, and seen by AFP.

"I will propose that the Council establish a direct, structured and time-limited consultation with confederations, Member Associations and relevant stakeholders on how FIFA's decision-making can be further strengthened," Infantino wrote.

The 56-year-old Swiss has come under fire since his now-abandoned plan to bring private investment into the men's and women's World Cups.

"The consultation would invite specific proposals on earlier institutional involvement, the respective roles of the President, the Bureau, the Council and the Congress, and practical ways to strengthen transparency, participation and accountability in major strategic initiatives," the letter continued.

Infantino asked for the initial proposals to be considered at the council meeting scheduled for October 15.

Infantino replaced Sepp Blatter as president of FIFA in 2016. He has come under severe pressure since the announcement in late July of proposals to create a commercial subsidiary to run its biggest events, such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.

The plan would have allowed private investors to acquire stakes in a company created under the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative. The backlash that followed led to the proposals being quickly shelved.

European football's governing body UEFA threatened to boycott FIFA competitions. It later suspended that threat, but has urged Infantino to resign and has been preparing possible legal action against him for alleged "criminal mismanagement".

Infantino addressed FFE in his letter on Monday and wrote that "FIFA's democratic processes, independence and sporting authority were never for sale".

The plan also "did not involve relinquishing FIFA's control or authority over sporting decisions", he insisted.

- 'Clear and trusted' -

He further lamented the fact that the scheme "entered the public domain before FIFA's planned institutional process had been completed and before it could be presented in full to the Council and the Member Associations".

"I recognize that, without the full context, this caused concern and created the impression that decisions had already been taken. They had not," Infantino added.

"Major ideas must be developed, tested and communicated through clear and trusted institutions. That is a responsibility I take seriously."

UEFA, alongside North American body CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), issued a no-holds-barred joint letter against Infantino in August.

"Leadership in football is not a possession. It is not about holding -- or demanding -- power to be held," they wrote.

FIFA confirmed earlier in September that Infantino will stand for re-election as president next March.

At this stage, he is the only candidate. However, CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani is widely seen as a likely challenger.

Candidate nominations for next year's election must be submitted by November 18.

Dimarco Stars in Inter Milan's 2-1 Friendly Win over Juventus

Most Viewed

Hadjar Back for Red Bull at Azerbaijan GP

Zidane Leads First France Training Session

Infantino Proposes Consulting Federations to Reform FIFA

لم تشترك بعد