Inter bounce back from Bologna blues

UDINE - Inter banished the ghosts of Wednesday evening's disappointment today with a 2-1 triumph away at Udinese. It was a game in which the Nerazzurri dusted themselves down and showed that they’re very much still in with a shout of becoming champions.

Backed by a fantastic travelling contingent, first half goals by Ivan Perisic and Lautaro Martinez put the Nerazzurri in the driving seat. Despite a fightback after the break by in-form Udinese, in which Ignacio Pussetto pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute and the hosts continued their assault on Simone Inzaghi’s men’s goal right until the end, the Nerazzurri were able to hold on to secure another vital win as they seek to defend their Serie A title. 

Football has its way of giving you chances of redemption, but they often don’t come easy. Only a few days after the forgettable trip to Bologna, Inter faced another tough test away from San Siro. This time the Nerazzurri were heading to Udine, where in 2020/21 they were only able to muster a draw, in a fixture almost 16 months ago now. Time is ever ticking, and as the season draws to a close teams are forced to call reserves of energy which they didn’t even know they had.

Following Wednesday’s misfortunate at the Dall’Ara, Simone Inzaghi recalled Samir Handanovic in goal, picked Federico Dimarco again, chose Roberto Gagliardini ahead of the suspended Hakan Calhanoglu, and opted for the attacking duo of Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez.

Inter were up against one of Serie A’s most dangerous teams at present. Gabriele Cioffi’s have been on fire, playing with so much energy, ideas, lethal counterattacks and a sense of freedom. This called for an approach from the Nerazzurri which left nothing to chance; attacking at pace, not giving the hosts a sniff of the ball, and trying to kill off the match as soon as possible. Having had an early scare in the opening minutes Inter responded by striking the first blow of the match. It was a classic Inter 2021/22 goal; a corner whipped in from the left and nodded in, the architects of this particular strike being Federico Dimarco and Ivan Perisic. It was the Croat’s seventh of the campaign on his 250th appearance for the club.

The goal triggered a response from Udinese which in turn gave Inter more space in which to attack. Lautaro and Dimarco nearly capitalised on this, but the frenetic pace of the start of the match slowed down as the first half wore on. Inter were called into defensive action and this time Dimarco was required to make a crucial intervention on Ignacio Pussetto. 

However, not long after this the Nerazzurri doubled their lead. Nicolo Barella played in Lautaro who saw his effort blocked by Marco Silvestri, and Udinese’s keeper could only parry the ball into the path of Dzeko who was then taken down by Pablo Mari. After an agonising wait which involved the intervention of VAR it was finally decided by referee Daniele Chiffi that a penalty would indeed be awarded for Inter. Lautaro stepped up and despite seeing his initial effort turned onto the post by Silvestri he was quick to react and nod in to make it 2-0. His goal gave the Nerazzurri a well-deserved and significant lead going into half-time.

Soon after the referee restarted the game Inter had a chance to put the game out of Udinese’s sight. Dzeko failed to take the opportunity presented to him, which set the tone for a second half characterised by mistakes, tension and incoherent play by the Nerazzurri. Unable to take the game by the scruff of the neck, Inter found themselves increasingly under the cosh, with Lautaro nullified by Becao and Perisic putting in a tremendous shift on the flank.

Udinese’s pressure told and in the 72nd minute they pulled a goal back. Gerard Deulofeu’s free kick was well kept out by Handanovic but Destiny Udogie was on hand to pounce on the loose ball to play in Pussetto, who made no mistake from close range. 

Inter found themselves holding on, as Udinese went from strength to strength with their substitutes making an impact on proceedings. Yet there was to be no equaliser; indeed, Inter thought they’d scored a third, but the linesman chalked off Arturo Vidal’s effort for offside. Substitutes Joaquin Correa and Alexis Sanchez did well to hold the ball up and take the steam out of Udinese’s momentum, and after five nervy minutes of added time the referee signalled the end of the match. 

Inter pick up another three priceless points; the title race is still very much alive.

Udinese 1-2 Inter (HT 0-2).  Scorers: 12 Perisic (I), 40 Lautaro (I), 72 Pussetto (U)

UDINESE (3-5-2): 1 Silvestri; 2 Perez, 50 Becao, 22 Mari; 16 Molina (93 Soppy 73), 5 Arslan (24 Samardzic 46), 11 Walace, 37 Pereyra (8 Jajalo 80), 13 Udogie; 10 Deulofeu, 7 Success (23 Pussetto 27).Unused substitutes: 20 Padelli, 31 Gasparini, 4 Zeegelaar, 17 Nuytinck, 25 Ballarini, 28 Benkovic, 30 Nestorovski. Coach: Gabriele Cioffi.

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Handanovic; 37 Skriniar, 6 De Vrij, 32 Dimarco (33 D'Ambrosio 77); 36 Darmian, 23 Barella (8 Vecino 90), 77 Brozovic, 5 Gagliardini (22 Vidal 74), 14 Perisic; 9 Dzeko (7 Sanchez 74), 10 Lautaro (19 Correa 74).Unused substitutes: 21 Cordaz, 97 Radu, 2 Dumfries, 13 Ranocchia, 18 Gosens, 88 Caicedo.Coach: Simone Inzaghi.

Booked: Mari (U), Pereyra (U), Vecino (I)Time added on: 3 - 5.Referee: Chiffi.Assistants: Tolfo, Pagliardini.Fourth Official: Baroni.VAR: Banti, Volpi.