Reigning champions Inter Milan recovered from last week’s derby defeat to earn a 3-2 win at Udinese Calcio, coached by Kosta Runjaic, who is well known in this country.
After losing 2-1 to AC Milan in the derby, Inter were naturally out for revenge. Udinese Calcio, who had lost 3-0 at AS Roma the previous week despite being the surprise leaders of the table, were waiting for the reigning champions, but the club, which had got off to a better start than the Nerazzurri, had two points more than them.
The start of the game went perfectly for Inter. Frattesi scored after just 43 seconds to give the visitors the lead, who generally dominated in the opening stages. Lautaro Martinez (9th minute) and Thuram (21st minute) could easily have made it 2-0 with their chances.
After about half an hour, the hosts also appeared in front of the opposing goal for the first time, but Lovric’s shot was deflected. After that, the game became more open with chances on both sides. First, Frattesi missed the chance to make it 2-0 (38′), then Dimarco made a strong save in front of his own goal to prevent Lovric from scoring (34′). It was just unfortunate from the point of view of the Inter player that Kabasele headed the ball into the net following the subsequent corner kick to equalize.
When it looked like it would be a draw at half-time, Inter capitalized on a bad pass in Udinese’s build-up play to get in front again. Lautaro Martinez scored the 2-1 in ping-pong style – his first goal of the season (45.+3).
Lautaro Martinez scores twice – Inter let Udinese come back again
The fact that the knot had now burst was underlined by the Argentine immediately after the break with his placed shot into the left corner to make it 3:1 (47′). Inter now managed the lead and repeatedly showed flashes of footballing finesse, for example in a remarkable one-touch combination that Frattesi was unable to convert (65′). Shortly afterwards, Lautaro Martinez also had the chance to make it four (71′).
Just ten minutes later, the hosts, who had no significant scenes to speak of in the entire second half, suddenly managed to score through Lucca (83′). Even though Udine sensed their chance afterwards, no more significant actions in the opponent’s box came about. Instead, Inter could have ensured the final decision through Correa (90.+2).
But this was not necessary, as it remained a 3-2 away win in the end. Udinese will face US Lecce next Saturday (3 p.m.), while Inter will face Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League on Tuesday (9 p.m.) before the top-of-the-table clash against Torino, who have had a surprisingly good start to the season, on Saturday (8:45 p.m.).
