Too strong! Inter hammer Udinese to reclaim top spot

Inter returned to the top of Serie A standings with an easy win over Udinese on Saturday night. Although the hosts kept hanging on in the opening stages, the Nerazzurri needed just seven minutes to score three goals and secure the points before halftime.

The game started with Inter swiftly asserting their dominance. Lautaro Martinez had an early chance, connecting with a cross from the wing, but his header narrowly missed the target, hitting the right post.

Despite Inter's early pressure, the breakthrough came in the 37th minute when Hakan Calhanoglu confidently converted a penalty, sending the ball past Marco Silvestri into the bottom left corner.

Just five minutes later, Federico Dimarco doubled Inter's lead with a stunning first-time shot from inside the box, drilling the ball into the bottom right corner, leaving Silvestri with no chance.

Inter's attacking momentum continued into the first half's dying moments. Marcus Thuram joined the scoresheet, capitalizing on Henrikh Mkhitaryan's cross, guiding it into the back of the net, securing a 3-0 lead for Inter before halftime.

The second half saw Inter maintaining their dominance, as evidenced by Lautaro Martinez's near-goal, a first-time shot that narrowly missed the left post. Despite strong appeals for a penalty from Inter players, the referee waved play on after a challenge on Lautaro. The decision was reviewed by VAR, but the referee upheld the initial call, opting not to award a penalty.

As Simone Inzaghi made several substitutes, the visitors mounted a few dangerous counter-attacks, but to no end result. On the other end, Lautaro nicked the ball and sealed the convincing win with a precise shot into the bottom corner five minutes from time.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 15

Friday

Juventus - Napoli 1-0 (0-0)

/Gatti 51/

Saturday

Hellas Verona - Lazio 1-1 (0-1)

/Henry 70 - Zaccagni 23/

Atalanta - AC Milan 3-2 (1-1)

/Lookman 38, 55, Muriel 90+5 - Giroud 45+3, Jovic 80/

Inter - Udinese 4-0 (3-0)

/Calhanoglu 37 pen, Dimarco 42, Thuram 44, Lautaro 84/

Sunday

14.30: (3.40) Frosinone (3.35) Torino (2.35)

17.00: (2.21) Monza (3.25) Genoa (3.60)

20.00: (3.70) Salernitana (3.45) Bologna (2.19)

22.45: (2.24) Roma (3.45) Fiorentina (3.60)

Monday

20.30: (2.52) Empoli (3.25) Lecce (2.95)

22.45: (2.45) Cagliari (3.50) Sassuolo (3.05)

***odds are subject to change