AC Milan and Inter Milan played out a 1-1 draw in a pre-season friendly at Perth’s Optus Stadium on Wednesday, a match overshadowed by the death of Franco Baresi. Before kick-off, both teams linked arms for a minute’s silence, with Milan’s players wearing the number six jersey in honour of their former captain, who died on 31 July. The stadium screens displayed the message “6 per sempre capitano” and the crowd applauded again in the sixth minute.

Inter took the lead in the 53rd minute when Nicolo Barella’s low cross found Federico Dimarco unmarked in the box to slot home. Milan, who had earlier struck the post through Yunus Musah, struggled to create clear chances until the 83rd minute, when Christopher Nkunku was fouled by Carlos Augusto and converted the resulting penalty himself.

The derby, played in front of 52,310 spectators, was a test of fitness for both sides with the Serie A season less than three weeks away. Inter’s Dimarco said the match was “important to improve our fitness” and that the team’s togetherness had been a foundation of recent trophy successes. Milan’s new coach Ruben Amorim, still seeking his first win after a 2-2 draw with Celtic, saw his side struggle for attacking cohesion, though the late introduction of Luka Modric, who recently extended his contract, drew a loud ovation.

Milan will continue their pre-season against Chelsea in Jakarta on Saturday, while Inter remain in Perth to face Juventus the same day.