May 02, (THEWILL) – Inter vanquished the drag of their dreadful loss to Bologna, by defeating Udinese by two goals to one at the Stadio Friuli on Sunday evening.
Despite a valiant second-half display by Inter, Ivan Perisic and Lautaro Martinez’s goals in the first half were enough to keep Simone Inzaghi’s team within two points of AC Milan at the top of the Serie A table.
The visitors dominated the opening exchanges, and Ivan Perisic rightfully gave them the lead in the 12th minute. The Croatian moved into space at the near post, where he was able to head in a Federico Dimarco corner kick.
Udinese showed signs of life after conceding, with Walace cannoning the ball goalward from 30 yards out. Samir Handanovic, who Inter fans must have been relieved to have back in the lineup, saved the strike.
Five minutes later, Marco Silvestri produced an equally excellent stop on the other end. Silvestri was on hand to divert Dimarco’s deflected shot wide of the post.
The visitors did score their second goal of the game, albeit in unusual circumstances. It all started when Nicolo Barella released Lautaro Martinez in on goal with a beautiful first-time through ball, but his effort to chip the ball over the onrushing Silvestri was ill-advised as the Udinese shot-stopper saved it comfortably.
Following that save, the ball fell to Edin Dzeko, who, after leaping over a sliding Pablo Mari, appeared to throw himself to the ground. After a lengthy VAR review, the referee (Daniele Chiffi) concluded that the Udinese defender had taken him down.
However, Martinez must consider himself fortunate to have the ball ricochet into his path for him to tap in to save his own blushes after the ensuing penalty had cannoned off the post at first strike.
Inter appeared relaxed at the start of the second half, content to absorb up pressure and catch Udinese on the break with the confidence of their two-goal advantage.
Dzeko probably should have added to I Nerazzurri’s tally in the 50th minute, but he got the ball lodged under his foot and was only able to pull his subsequent attempt wide of the post when one-on-one with Silvestri.
With 20 minutes remaining, Inter’s complacency was shattered as the home team made it 2-1.
Handanovic had saved a Gerard Deulofeu free-kick that seemed destined for the upper left corner of the net and Destiny Udogie was the first to react to Handanovic’s palming of the ball. He blasted the ball across goal and into the path of Ignacio Pussetto, who tapped home from four yards out.
When substitutes Joaquin Correa and Arturo Vidal combined eight minutes later, the latter slipped the ball under Silvestri and into the net with the visitors believing they had reasserted their supremacy. But, Vidal had moved in behind the Udinese defence slightly too early, and the goal was called out for offside.
Despite late pressure from Udinese, Inter were able to maintain their slim lead and keep their Serie A title aspirations alive moving into the final three games of the season.
Udinese are back in action on Saturday away against Sassuolo. Inter will continue to chase the Scudetto on Saturday when they host Empoli.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
