High-flying Udinese give the champs a proper fight but remain empty handed

Lautaro Martínez opened his Serie A account for the season, propelling Inter Milan to a 3-2 win over Udinese and lifting the Nerazzurri to joint top of the table. The victory also marked Inter’s fourth consecutive head-to-head triumph over Udinese.

Milan top Serie A with a third win in a row

Inter wasted no time asserting themselves, striking within 40 seconds. Matteo Darmian’s incisive pass unlocked Udinese’s defense, allowing Davide Frattesi to slot the ball beneath Maduka Okoye for Inter’s fourth goal within the first 10 minutes of a league match this season. Despite dominating the first half-hour, Inter failed to extend their lead, with both Martínez and Frattesi missing prime chances from close range.

Udinese capitalized on Inter’s wastefulness just before halftime. Christian Kabasele netted his first Serie A goal since March 2023, heading in Jordan Zemura’s expertly delivered cross to bring the home side level. The goal, marking Udinese’s seventh consecutive home league game with a goal, gave the home fans hope of a comeback. However, Martínez quickly dashed those hopes, restoring Inter’s lead shortly after, tucking in Federico Dimarco’s low cross.

The Argentine wasn’t done, doubling Inter’s advantage just two minutes into the second half. After receiving a pass from Marcus Thuram, who held off his defender, Martínez fired into the bottom corner, leaving Okoye with no chance. Udinese responded with pressure in search of a goal, but Inter’s resolute defense thwarted close-range efforts from Oier Zarraga and Kabasele.

With 10 minutes left, Udinese substitute Lorenzo Lucca managed to slip past the Inter defense and finish coolly past Yann Sommer, setting up a nervy finale. Despite the late scare, Inter held firm to secure their third win of the season. For Udinese, the 3-0 defeat to Roma last weekend followed by this loss has left coach Kosta Runjaić facing his first consecutive defeats, with their unbeaten start to the campaign fading fast. On the other hand, Simone Inzaghi’s Inter, bouncing back from a three-match winless streak, now find themselves closing in on early league leaders Torino.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 6

Friday

AC Milan - Lecce 3-0 (3-0)

/Morata 36, Hernandez 41, Pulišić 43/

Saturday

Udinese - Inter 2-3 (1-2)

/Kabasele 35, Lucca 83 - Frattesi 1, Martinez 45+4, 47/

19:00: (5.60) Genoa (3.60) Juventus (1.75)

21:45: (3.00) Bologna (3.45) Atalanta (2.50)

Sunday

13:30: (2.85) Torino (3.15) Lazio (2.60)

16:00: (1.45) Roma (4.40) Venezia (7.25)

16:00: (2.15) Como (3.45) Verona (3.70)

19:00: (3.40) Empoli (3.35) Fiorentina (2.30)

21:45: (1.38) Napoli (4.70) Monza (8.50)

Monday

21:45: (2.15) Parma (3.50) Cagliari (3.60)

***odds are subject to change***