MILAN (ITALPRESS) – A key victory for Inter Milan as they beat Udinese 2-1. Decisive goals by Frattesi and Arnautovic in the first half, Solet tried to reopen the match, but it was not enough for the Bianconeri to find the equalizer. Success number 20 in the season for Simone Inzaghi’s team – expelled in the final for protests -, now the Nerazzurri are +6 on Napoli, waiting for the challenge between the partenopei and Milan tonight.
Without Taremi, who stopped due to a muscle strain, Simone Inzaghi deployed Arnautovic and Thuram in the classic 3-5-2, the Piacenza coach’s trademark. Udinese responded with a specular module: Lucca the only reference in attack, with Ekkelenkamp in support. After 44 seconds, Calhanoglu attempted a pool shot, but the Turk’s first-time shot ended up on the bottom. The hosts started with their foot pressed on the accelerator, at 8′ Frattesi – practically from inside the small area – hit the outside post. It took only 12 minutes for Inter to unlock the challenge, thanks to a collective play finalized by Arnautovic’s own saucer. Frattesi’s doubling goal, which came at 29′ of the first half, effectively anesthetized the match, with the Friulians unable to find a reaction.
In the second half Runjaic sent Iker Bravo on the field in place of Lovric, and the Bianconeri began to find more courage: on 26′ Solet anticipated everyone on a high cross on his own three-quarter, the French defender with a personal action up to the edge of the Inter area found the 2-1 with a great shot from the distance. A few minutes later Lucca’s header was bricked by Sommer’s excellent intervention, with the Swiss goalkeeper also overcoming himself in the recovery on Solet’s close-range shot. Third consecutive victory for Inter, which will face Parma in the next round. Udinese, on the other hand, will take on Genoa.
IL TABELLINO
INTER (3-5-2): Sommer 7; Pavard 6, Acerbi 6, Carlos Augusto 6; Darmian 6 (31’st Zalewski 6), Frattesi 7 (19’st Barella 6), Calhanoglu 6.5 (19’st Asllani 6), Mkhitaryan 6.5, Dimarco 7 (19’st Bisseck 5.5); Arnautovic 7 (10’st Correa 5.5), Thuram 6.5. On the bench: Di Gennaro, Martinez, De Vrij, Aidoo, Alexiou, Berenbruch, Spinaccè. Coach: Inzaghi 6.5.
UDINESE (3-5-1-1): Okoye 6; Kristensen 5, Bijol 5.5, Solet 6.5; Ehizibue 5, Atta 5.5 (26’st Payero 6), Karlstrom 5 (26’st Zarraga 6), Lovric 5 (1’st Iker Bravo 6.5), Kamara 5.5 (26’st Modesto 6); Ekkelenkamp 5.5 (35’st Pafundi sv); Lucca 6. On the bench: Piana, Padelli, Davis, Kabasele, Giannetti, Pizarro. Coach: Runjaic 5.5.
REFEREE: Chiffi of Padua 6
RETIREES: 12’pt Arnautovic, 29’pt Frattesi, 26’st Solet.
NOTES: playing field in good condition. Spectators: 71,924.Expelled in 47’st Inzaghi (all) for protests. Admonished: Inzaghi (all), Asllani, Barella. Corners: 2-4. Recovery: 2’pt, 7’st.
– IPA Agency photo –
(ITALPRESS).
