The Joaquin Correa show: Inter 2 - 0 Udinese

MILAN - Inter overcame Udinese 2-0 at San Siro in what was ultimately a comfortable afternoon for the Nerazzurri. Despite being thwarted by Marco Silvestri’s goalkeeping in the first half, the result never seemed in any doubt and once Joaquin Correa broke the deadlock it looked that Inter would coast to victory. The Argentine added to his first strike with another lovely finish, smashing home from just inside the box after great work by Ivan Perisic. Simone Inzaghi’s men record their second Serie A victory of the week and move within four points of joint leaders Milan and Napoli and are raring to go ahead of next week’s matches against Sheriff and AC Milan.

It’s been relentless for Simone Inzaghi’s men as of late. Coming into Sunday’s clash on the back of a midweek trip to Empoli and ahead of a Champions League away day in Tiraspol, Inter once again shared the workload for the Udinese match. Andrea Ranocchia got his first start of the campaign, Hakan Calhanoglu was back in the team, and Joaquin Correa featured alongside Edin Dzeko. 

Udinese set their stall out with a 3-5-2 formation, fielding two strong centre forwards who were tasked with giving the Nerazzurri’s rearguard a tough time. Luca Gotti’s men were able to reduce the effectiveness of the marauding Ivan Perisic and Denzel Dumfries for most of the first half, with Isaac Success and Beto giving Inter’s defensive pairing of Milan Skriniar and Ranocchia some grief. Indeed it was Udinese who had the first chance of the afternoon, Roberto Pereyra stinging the palms of Samir Handanovic. 

Inter were soon to retaliate through the ever-effervescent Nicolo Barella, who peppered Silvestri’s goal on a number of occasions in the first 45 minutes, coming most close to scoring when combining with Dzeko and Correa in a counter attack after 13 minutes. The Nerazurri grew into the game and heaped more pressure on Udinese’s goal, the stats bearing witness to their dominance: 68% possession and eight shots on target. Meanwhile, the visitors were content to sit back and fight for second balls. The Nerazzurri’s barrage continued with Ranocchia getting on the end of a corner but heading over, and also playing a dangerous ball across the six-yard box. Despite the sustained pressure Inter headed into the half-time break having not broken the deadlock.

Inter were in need of a spark of inspiration, someone to find a way around Udinese’s tight defence. The first fifteen minutes of the second half might have led you to belief that the Nerazzurri were cursed and would end up coming away with a draw. Yet when it was most needed Joaquin Correa came to the forefront, aided by the electric Perisic and Calhanoglu.

Despite having been quiet up until the hour mark, the Argentine didn’t let his discreet performance hamper his desire to help his team find the opener. Perisic transformed an ordinary pass from the back into a moment of genius, expertly dummying to see Correa pick up the ball on the left flank in an advantageous position. The Udinese defence then kept backing off the Nerazzurri forward as he advanced towards the box, before finishing with aplomb into the bottom corner. What followed was an explosion of ecstasy in San Siro; the breakthrough had come, Udinese were on the ropes, and now it was a matter of taking the next step and sealing the game.

Inter didn’t relent, and it was the turn of Dzeko and Dumfries to have a go, both squandering great opportunities from close range after goalscorer-turned-provider Correa threaded a ball through. Yet the Dutchman wasn’t going to dwell on his missed chance; a few minutes later he was sprinting down the right flank and laying a tidy ball to the edge of the area, where Correa was on hand to smash home again, recording his second brace for the club.

It was a case of 'job done' for the 27-year-old, who was then taken off to be replaced by Alexis Sanchez. By this point Udinese were lagging, with fellow substitute Arturo Vidal tormenting the visitor’s defence. Yet Gotti’s men nearly made it a nervy last ten minutes: firstly Gerard Deulofeu forced Handanovic into a smart stop, before the Spaniard found the net with the clock ticking down. However, much to San Siro’s relief the goal was chalked off for an offside in the build-up.

The final whistle went and Inter went to celebrate in front of the Curva Nord. Another victory for the Nerazzurri, who put October behind them and are already looking ahead to a November replete with challenges; sealing their passage out of the Champions League group stages and getting one over on local rivals AC Milan next weekend.  

Inter 2-0 Udinese (HT 0-0)

Scorers: Correa 60, 68

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Handanovic; 37 Skriniar, 13 Ranocchia, 95 Bastoni; 2 Dumfries, 23 Barella (12 Sensi, 80), 77 Brozovic, 20 Calhanoglu (22 Vidal, 70), 14 Perisic (32 Dimarco, 85); 9 Dzeko (10 Lautaro, 80), 19 Correa (7 Sanchez, 70).Unused substitutes: 97 Radu, 5 Gagliardini, 6 De Vrij, 8 Vecino, 11 Kolarov, 33 D'Ambrosio, 36 Darmian.  Coach: Simone Inzaghi.

UDINESE (3-5-2): 1 Silvestri; 50 Becao, 17 Nuytinck, 3 Samir; 16 Molina (93 Soppy, 89), 37 Pereyra, 8 Jajalo (11 Walace, 59), 6 Makengo (5 Arslan, 70), 19 Stryger Larsen (13 Udogie, 70); 7 Success (10 Deulofeu, 59), 9 Beto.Unused substitutes: 20 Padelli, 65 Carnelos, 2 Perez, 4 Zeegelaar, 24 Samardzic, 45 Forestieri, 87 De Maio.Coach: Luca Gotti. 

Booked: Beto (U), Pereyra (U)Added time:  1+3 minutes

Referee: Sacchi.Assistants: Vivenzi, Rocca.Fourth official: Paterna.VAR: Di Paolo, Bresmes