Inter Milan Hero In Crucial Win Vs River Plate Grateful For The Opportunity: 'Thanks To The Coach & My Teammates'
Francesco Pio Esposito chose to stay humble after helping Inter Milan see off River Plate in their final group-stage fixture at the Club World Cup.
Speaking to InterTV via FCInterNews, the 19-year-old thanked the coach and his teammates for supporting him.
Advertisement
An ill-tempered game at Lumen Field in Seattle saw the Argentine powerhouse pick up two red cards in the second half.
Indeed, Lucas Martinez Quarta received marching orders for a cynical tackle on Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Meanwhile, Gonzalo Montiel's second booking warranted an expulsion deep into second-half stoppages.
However, Inter had already had all three points in the bag.
Francesco Pio Esposito scored in his first start for the Nerazzurri this summer to break the deadlock in the 72nd minute.
Moreover, second-half substitute Petar Sucic chipped in with an assist to help Inter find a well-deserved opener.
Advertisement
Star center-back Alessandro Bastoni sealed River Plate's fate in injury time, cementing Inter's top-place finish in Group E.
Francesco Pio Esposito Thrilled After Inter Milan Win vs River Plate
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 25: Francesco Esposito #94 of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team's first goal with Lautaro Martinez #10 during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between FC Internazionale Milano and CA River Plate at Lumen Field on June 25, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by)
'I still haven't fully realized everything,' Esposito said after the game. 'It all happened so fast. Even when I scored, it was an incredibly quick emotion.
'Then I saw who was celebrating with me, and I told myself it really happened.
'It's the second dream come true for me in these past few days.
'I'm incredibly proud and thankful to the coach for the opportunity and to my teammates for how they welcomed me.
Advertisement
'These are the kinds of matches I love, where you have to battle and I can make the most of my strengths,' he added.
'With champions like this around me, I've got so many options. They always put the ball on your strong foot, and I can just reap the rewards.'
Asked about the goal, Esposito replied: 'Petar made a great play, the ball came to me really fast, and I thought about an angled first touch.
'I decided to open up and it worked. Now we're ready to fight again and get through the round to win.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jaguars scratch Travis Hunter ahead of preseason game against the Saints
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Travis Hunter was scratched Sunday by the Jacksonville Jaguars before their preseason game against the New Orleans Saints. Hunter, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner out of Colorado and No. 2 pick in last spring's NFL draft, had missed practice in recent days because of what team officials have described as an upper-body injury. The Jaguars also scratched veteran wide receiver Dyami Brown, although it was not immediately clear why. Hunter and Brown both played in Jacksonville's preseason opener last week, a 31-25 loss to Pittsburgh. Hunter, a rare, two-way player, caught two passes for 9 yards and also participated in eight plays as a defensive back. Brown had 7 yards rushing on an end-around. ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Inter Milan + Several Foreign Clubs Keen On Udinese Defender – Udinese Line Up Replacement
Inter Milan and several clubs outside of Serie A are keen on Oumar Solet, with Udinese having lined up a replacement. Italian broadcaster SportItalia, via FCInterNews, report that the Friulani will go after Etienn Kinkoue of Le Havre to replace the 25-year-old. Inter Milan are still thinking about signing a defender before the transfer window. The Nerazzurri have missed out on one big target in the form of Koni De Winter. The Belgian has joined AC Milan. Meanwhile, Parma's Giovanni Leoni will join Liverpool. However, there are other options for Inter to consider. And particularly if Inter were to sell Benjamin Pavard, they will certainly sign a replacement. The former Bayern Munich defender is a target for Galatasaray. Inter + Several Foreign Clubs Keen On Oumar Solet – Udinese Target Replacement VERONA, ITALY – JANUARY 04: Oumar Solet of Udinese Calcio runs with the ball during the Serie A match between Verona and Udinese at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on January 04, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by) One defender who Inter have been targeting for some time is Udinese's Oumar Solet. The Frenchman had already convinced the Nerazzurri with his performances in his first few months in Serie A after joining Udinese last January. And according to SportMediaset, Inter remain very much in the hunt to sign Solet. Then, there are also some clubs out of Serie A who are targeting the Frenchman. Mediaset further report that Udinese have already identified a replacement for Solet. That would be Etienne Kinkoue of Le Havre, who is a former Inter youth team player.
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Report – Inter Milan & Poland Star To Undergo Medicals On Tuesday Ahead Of Atalanta Move
Inter Milan wingback Nicola Zalewski is reportedly set to undergo his medicals ahead of a move to Atalanta on Tuesday. This according to Italian broadcaster SportMediaset, via FCInterNews. They report that Inter will receive a fee of around €17 million for the Polish international. In the last day or so, Atalanta have taken an interest in Inter wingback Nicola Zalewski. The Bergamo club are keen to make a signing for the left flank before the end of the transfer window. And Zalewski has emerged as a potential candidate for the position after Fiorentina rebuffed La Dea's interest in bringing Robin Gosens back to the club. Inter WIngback Nicola Zalewski To Undergo Atalanta Medicals On Tuesday SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 24: Nicola Zalewski of FC Internazionale Milano reacts during the Training/Press Conference ahead of their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between FC Internazionale Milano and CA River Plate at Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 24, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by) According to SportMediaset, the negotiations between Inter and Atalanta for Zalewski are complete. The clubs have been in active talks today. And they have already reached an agreement for the Polish international. Inter only just signed Zalewski permanently this summer after he'd been on loan over the second half of last season. They paid Roma a fee of €6.5 million. However, Inter are already to turn a significant profit, reports Mediaset. They anticipate that the figure that the clubs have agreed a deal worth around €17 million. The broadcaster report that Zalewski could undergo his medicals for the move as early as Tuesday.
