Inter Milan bounced back from recent setbacks with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Udinese at the Dacia Arena. The Nerazzurri, looking to recover from a draw with Monza and a derby defeat to AC Milan, found their scoring touch through Lautaro Martinez and Davide Frattesi.
The match started explosively, with Frattesi opening the scoring just 43 seconds into the game. The midfielder, starting in place of the injured Nicolò Barella, capitalized on a Darmian through ball to catch Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye off guard.
Udinese, who had been in good form, equalized through Christian Kabasele’s glancing header from a corner. However, Inter regained the lead just before halftime when a Dimarco cross deflected in off a combination of Jaka Bijol and Lautaro Martinez.
Martinez, last season’s Capocannoniere, broke his scoring drought in style, netting twice in the match. His second goal came early in the second half, as he calmly finished after a Thuram assist.
The home side refused to give up, with Lorenzo Lucca pulling a goal back late in the game. His solo effort, holding off challenges from Calhanoglu and De Vrij, set up a tense finale.
Inter held on for the win, despite late pressure from Udinese. The victory sees Inter climb the Serie A table, putting their recent struggles behind them. Manager Simone Inzaghi will be particularly pleased with Martinez finding his scoring form and the team’s resilience in a difficult away fixture.
The result sets Inter up well for their upcoming challenges, including a Coppa Italia clash with Udinese in December. For now, the Nerazzurri can celebrate a crucial three points that keep their title aspirations alive in what promises to be a competitive Serie A season.
Goals: Frattesi 1 (I), Kabasele 35 (U), Lautaro Martinez 45, 47 (I), Lucca 83 (U)
Udinese (3-5-2): Okoye; Kabasele, Bijol, Touré; Ehizibue, Lovric (59′ Ekkelenkamp), Karlstrom (74′ Atta), Zarraga (86′ Bravo), Zemura; Thauvin (74′ Brenner), Davis (59′ Lucca)
Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni (75′ De Vrij); Darmian, Frattesi (86′ Zielinski), Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco (65′ Carlos Augusto); Thuram (75′ Taremi), Lautaro (86′ Correa).
