Why Inter and Atletico Madrid played mid-season friendly in Libya

Inter and Atletico Madrid raised eyebrows by playing a mid-season friendly out in Libya while the majority of their first-team squads were away on international duty, and the reason behind the match being played in North Africa appears to be largely financially motivated. 

With a large chunk of the Nerazzurri squad currently away on international duty, Cristian Chivu organised a mid-season friendly and warm weather training camp for his remaining players, against Atletico Madrid in Libya on Tuesday evening. 

The two sides met at the Benghazi International Stadium on Friday evening. Chivu named a side that featured first-team regulars in Yann Bisseck, Francesco Acerbi, Matteo Darmian, Andy Diouf, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Ange-Yoan Bonny. There was also an opportunity to test a number of U23 players on the night as well. 

The friendly ended in a 1-1 draw with goals from Carlos Martin and the aforementioned Bisseck, who provided a second-half equaliser with a header from a corner. 

According to reports from Corriere della Sera (via fcinternews.it), the decision to play the friendly in Libya, rather than in Italy or Spain, was largely due to financial reasons. 

The match was financed by the Libya Development and Reconstruction fund, and it is estimated that the Nerazzurri profited to the tune of around €4m for their one-off friendly against Atletico. 

Here is how the two teams lined up for their mid-season friendly in Benghazi on Friday.