Vieri: Pre-season clash with City will push both sides

Photo: Ank kumar / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Former Inter Milan striker Christian Vieri says high-profile pre-season fixtures like Saturday's meeting between Manchester City and Inter Milan serve a genuine competitive purpose for both clubs.

"You don't want to lose these games because you're playing in a stadium with up to 50,000 people," Vieri said. "When people are watching and you're playing against a big team, no one wants to lose."

The two clubs meet in Hong Kong on 1 August at 12:30 UK time, three years on from their 2023 Champions League final in Istanbul, where Rodri's second-half goal decided the match. Both sides have new managers and altered squads heading into the new campaign.

Vieri pointed to the timing of the fixture as particularly relevant for Inter, whose domestic season begins in roughly 20 days. "Playing against City is going to be good and important physically," he said. "It's a big team so the thousands of fans are going to push the teams on."

The 52-year-old spent six years at Inter between 1999 and 2005, scoring 123 goals in 190 appearances. He also represented AC Milan, Juventus and Lazio during his career.

Vieri backed Inter to provide a stern test for City, noting the club's recent record in European competition. "Inter has reached two Champions League finals in the last four years," he said. "The team is really strong. We're a very strong Champions League team and we won the double last year."

Inter arrive in Hong Kong having won a domestic double in the previous season. City's pre-season Asia tour also includes fixtures against a K League All-Stars side in Seoul on 5 August and Atletico Madrid on 9 August.