Inter Milan concluded their 2025 pre-season schedule with a narrow 1-0 victory over Greek champions Olympiacos on Saturday, August 16. The friendly match, held at the San Nicola stadium in Bari, was decided by an early first-half goal from Federico Dimarco, providing the Italian side with a positive result as they head into their domestic campaign.
The decisive moment of the match came in the 16th minute. A well-constructed play saw Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martínez combine effectively, with Martínez providing the final pass for Federico Dimarco to find the back of the net. This single goal proved to be enough for the Nerazzurri to secure the win in what was their final preparatory fixture before the Serie A season kicks off.
According to match statistics from ESPN, Inter Milan controlled the game for large periods, boasting 62.2% of the possession. Despite their dominance, both teams struggled to create clear-cut chances. Inter registered 15 total shot attempts but, like Olympiacos, only managed to place one of them on target. Dimarco’s clinical finish was the difference, highlighting an efficiency that Olympiacos could not match with their five attempts. The match was cleanly contested, with referee Ivano Pezzuto issuing no yellow cards to either side.
For Inter, coached by Cristian Chivu, the match served as a final tune-up. The starting lineup featured a strong selection, including goalkeeper Yann Sommer and attackers Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram. Summer signing Petar Sucic also started in midfield, signaling his integration into the squad. The victory caps an unbeaten pre-season for Inter, which included a 2-1 win over AS Monaco and a penalty shootout victory against Monza after a 2-2 draw. The club now turns its attention to its Serie A opener against Torino on August 25, aiming to build a strong foundation for the season ahead after finishing second in the league and as runners-up in the Champions League last term, as noted by Newsweek.
Olympiacos, managed by José Luis Mendilibar, entered the contest looking to test themselves against top European competition. The Greek side dominated their domestic league last season, winning the title by a comfortable 16-point margin. Their pre-season had been largely successful, though this defeat follows a recent 2-1 loss to Napoli. Despite starting the match with high intensity and pressing Inter early, they were unable to break down the Italian defense. As reported by VAVEL, Olympiacos will begin their official fixtures on August 23 with a home match against Asteras Tripolis, where they will look to defend their Super League crown.
This encounter was only the second meeting between the two clubs, with their previous match in 2011 ending in a 2-2 draw. The friendly provided both managers with a final opportunity to assess their squads in a competitive environment before the matches begin to count. With their pre-season preparations now complete, both Inter Milan and Olympiacos will shift their focus entirely to their respective league campaigns.
