Inter’s under-18 coach Andrea Zanchetta today revealed his pride at seeing Sebastiano Esposito and Lorenzo Pirola play for the first team during preseason.

Esposito spent most of last year playing with Zanchetta for the Nerazzurri’s under-17, scoring a hat-trick in their league final against Roma.

Pirola also made 19 appearances for him and featured in Sunday’s International Champions Cup match against Tottenham, which Antonio Conte’s men won on penalties.

Zanchetta told Inter TV: “It’s immensely satisfying for a coach and his backroom staff to see their youngsters showing what they can do with the big players.

“You have to give much of the credit to the lads themselves, though, because they have shown they are ready to make the leap up.”

Esposito provided a classy assist for Stefano Sensi at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and has started all five preseason fixtures thus far.

Conte’s striker shortage has given the 17-year-old a golden opportunity to break into the first-team fold, an opportunity he has grabbed with both hands.