Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich. International Champions Cup.
Bank of America Stadium.
Sunday 31 July 2016 00:20, UK
Julian Green scored a first-half hat-trick as Bayern Munich humbled Inter Milan 4-1 in the International Champions Cup on Saturday.
The 21-year-old American, who started just one senior game for the German champions last season, needed just 35 minutes to net three goals in a dominant opening 45 minutes in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Franck Ribery scored Bayern's second goal of the night and despite Mauro Icardi's 90th-minute consolation, Carlo Ancelotti's players continued their preparations for the new Bundesliga season in impressive fashion.
Ancelotti made five changes from the side that started Bayern's first ICC match against AC Milan, but Green retained his place in attack and repaid his manager's faith with three first-half goals.
The first came on seven minutes as he received a fine David Alaba cross from the left flank and volleyed the ball home past Samir Handanovic from inside the six-yard box.
Bayern doubled their lead just six minutes later when Ribery - who was captaining the side from the start - smashed in from eight yards after a good run from Fabian Benko, who glided to the touchline and cut the ball back.
Green's second came on 30 minutes after some calamitous defending from Inter full-back Danilo D'Ambrosio, who failed to head a high ball near the centre circle allowing Ribery to run through and lay off the ball for the American youngster to score with his left foot.
And the hat-trick was completed on 35 minutes as Green - perhaps marginally offside - tapped into an unguarded net after Rafinha's run and cross from the right.
The only sour note for Bayern in the first half came on 26 minutes when Ribery needlessly lashed out at Inter's Felipe Melo off the ball and was booked.
The Frenchman had been visibly frustrated by a late challenge from his opponent minutes earlier and the incident would surely have resulted in a red card in a competitive match.
Ribery was one of four players taken off at half-time by Ancelotti and the changes disrupted their attacking rhythm as the second half was played out in exhibition style.
Inter boss Mancini had picked a strong starting XI and made only one substitution at the break, but the players who had been humbled in the first half failed to create many clear chances.
Mauro Icardi, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal and Napoli this summer, was introduced with 18 minutes left and grabbed a consolation in the final minute when Alaba presented him with the ball in the centre circle and he ran through unopposed before slotting past Tom Starke.
Inter play their final International Champions Cup match against Celtic on August 13 following friendlies with Tottenham on Friday and Borussia Monchengladbach the following Wednesday.
Bayern will conclude their participation in this competition with a clash against European champions Real Madrid on Thursday.
