Inter finish the season strongly: 5 - 1 victory over Udinese

A partying crowd. Celebrating is even better together; as we share it, the joy only grows. We have all earned this, but especially the fans: we are Champions of Italy. Inter vs Udinese was not just a game, but a shared demonstration of our “Interness”. Genuine, spontaneous, heartfelt. We have missed that closeness, that noise - the chants, banners and applause. We have missed the fans paying homage to this miraculous Scudetto. And so, there was the inevitable throng outside San Siro, as the team-coach arrived to celebrate the triumph at the entrance to the stadium. Thousands of supporters awaited - making a timely return - to immortalise this historic moment of Inter’s 19th Scudetto together with the team. Inter vs Udinese itself became a long count-down to the cup being lifted. The game was to be played to the soundtrack of fans able to sing as loudly as ever, which echoed from the seats of San Siro out to the city, giving the home players extra energy.

Even if the Scudetto was secured 3 weeks ago, it was honoured in good measure on this day of celebration. And that sense of celebration translated to the pitch, before all the partying post-match. As ever, Inter played to the very end at San Siro. Champions to the death, beating Udinese 5-1 here on the final day of the season. Young, Eriksen, Lautaro, Perisic and Lukaku got the last goals of the season, with Inter finishing up with 91 points. What is more, Conte’s men registered a 100-goal season (101 scored total, 89 in Serie A) and have now beaten every opponent they have faced in Serie A at least once this season. 

Before the game, a special message was sent by the Club: a note to all health workers who put themselves in danger on the front-lines in the fight against COVID-19. “Doctors and nurses: the Champions of Italy are you. Thank you for everything that you have done.” Then, as ever, it was all about Inter. In a match that was not played with the highest of tempos, the Curva pushed the team on from the stands like at a gala, with the San Siro drumming along. 

Inter’s gallop towards the finish line was peppered with some brilliant football and classy touches along with some fiery (even illegal) exchanges. Above all, the applause was there to be heard and seen, accompanying the Nerazzurri’s 28th win of the 38 game season. Young’s little chip over the onrushing keeper started the game off well, his first goal of the season and Inter’s 17th different scorer of 2020/2021. His goal really deflated Udinese's resistance early on, with the visitors unable to stop the hosts’ bursts forward, led by Gagliardini and Vecino in the middle of the park: quick, lively, penetrative. 

Inter won a free-kick on the edge of the box just a few minutes after Sensi was replaced with an adductor injury by Eriksen. It was a perfect position for the Dane who scored the Nerazzurri’s second, via a deflection off the wall. 

Inter were not content with simply going in leading 2-0 at the break, and Lautaro’s un-stoppable performance - with skills, dribbling and efforts on goal - symbolised that. His goal, for 3-0, came from a penalty after Hakimi was clipped in the box as he got to the byeline down the right. A goal for the Argentine, who celebrated with Hakimi before they were both replaced. The game continued in this vein in the second half and, as the sun beat down on the stadium, Perisic illuminated the afternoon still further with a brilliant curling effort on his right foot. 

Finally, Romelu, not to be forgotten, got involved: Sanchez’s lovely chip struck the post and, rather fortuitously, bounced back off Lukaku and in. Pereyra’s penalty (for an accidental handball against the brilliant Eriksen) beat Padelli on his first appearance of the season but did little to take the gloss off Inter’s 5 goals. Now is the time for nothing but celebrations, to mark Inter’s status as Champions of Italy - together with their supporters!  

THE LINE-UPS

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Handanovic (27 Padelli 46'); 33 D'Ambrosio, 13 Ranocchia, 95 Bastoni; 2 Hakimi (14 Perisic 57'), 8 Vecino, 5 Gagliardini, 12 Sensi (24 Eriksen 39'), 15 Young; 99 Pinamonti (7 Sanchez 66'), 10 Lautaro (9 Lukaku 57').Un-used subs: 97 Radu, 6 de Vrij, 22 Vidal, 23 Barella, 37 Skriniar.Coach: Antonio Conte.

UDINESE (3-5-2): 1 Musso (31 Gasparini 88'); 50 Becao, 14 Bonifazi, 3 Samir; 16 Molina, 19 Larsen, 90 Zeegelar (45 Forestieri 59'), 11 Walace (64 Palumbo 88'), 10 De Paul (6 Makengo 69'), 16 Molina; 37 Pereyra, 7 Okaka (32 Llorente 59').Un-used subs: , 96 Scuffet, 5 Ouwejan, 24 Battistella, 65 Rigo, 68 Basha.Coach: Luca Gotti.

Goal-scorers: 7' Young (I), 44' Eriksen (I), 55' Lautaro (I) pen, 64' Perisic (I), 72' Lukaku (I), 79' Pereyra (U) penCards: Lautaro (I)HT score: 2' - 0'

Referee: Volpi.Assistants: L. Rossi, Perrotti.4th Official: Amabile.VAR: Banti.VAR Assistant: Vivenzi.