Udinese vs Inter Milan

After a disappointing derby defeat that kept them from climbing to the top of the Serie A standings, Inter Milan will be eager to rebound when they travel to face Udinese on Saturday. Last weekend saw Inter stumble against long-standing rivals AC Milan, while their opponents, Udinese, had their unbeaten run ended in a challenging encounter in Rome.

Match Preview:

Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez, September 18, 2024 © Imago

Heading into the first Derby della Madonnina of the 2024-25 Serie A season, Inter Milan had high expectations. The Nerazzurri were seeking an unprecedented seventh consecutive victory over their city rivals and were poised to overtake the top spot in the league standings. With AC Milan struggling through the early stages of the campaign, it appeared to be the perfect opportunity for Inter to assert their dominance and add another chapter to their recent dominance in this fierce rivalry.

However, the reality of the match did not live up to Inter's expectations. The Rossoneri managed to gain an early lead at the San Siro, surprising Inter with a resilient display that belied their recent struggles. Although Inter equalized through Federico Dimarco—a player who grew up as a passionate Inter supporter—the team couldn't maintain the momentum. In a cruel twist of fate, Milan snatched a late winner to hand Inter their first defeat of the season. This result not only left Inter in seventh place with eight points, but it also dashed their hopes of topping the league and reinforced the idea that the Serie A campaign was going to be more competitive than ever.

Simone Inzaghi's side has now gone three games without a win in all competitions, including a Champions League draw against reigning European champions Manchester City. Given the high standards set by Inter in recent seasons, this winless run represents their longest such streak since April 2023. For a club with ambitions of competing for both domestic and continental glory, such a slump—however brief—is a cause for concern.

While Inter have managed to avoid defeat in most of their recent encounters, the pressure is mounting on Inzaghi to guide his team back to winning ways. The fact that the team has yet to secure an away win this season adds further urgency to their trip to Udine. Across all competitions, Inter have drawn all three of their away matches, an unusual pattern for a team of their caliber.

However, history is on Inter’s side as they prepare to face Udinese. The Nerazzurri have been dominant in recent visits to the Dacia Arena, remaining undefeated in 10 of their last 11 Serie A matches in Udine, securing eight victories in the process. Given Udinese's inconsistent form against Inter over the years, there is reason to believe that Inzaghi’s men can turn their fortunes around and get back to winning ways.

Udinese’s Perspective:

Udinese coach Kosta Runjaic, Serie A 2024/2025 © Imago

On the other side of the pitch, Udinese come into this match with a different mindset and a chance to capitalize on Inter's vulnerability. Despite their poor head-to-head record against Inter in recent seasons, having lost six of their last seven encounters and conceding an alarming 19 goals—an average of 2.7 goals per game—there is optimism in the Udinese camp this time around.

The Friulani, under the guidance of head coach Kosta Runjaic, find themselves in an uncharacteristically strong position in the Serie A standings. Udinese are currently third in the league table with 10 points, sitting just one point behind early leaders Torino. For a team that has traditionally hovered around mid-table or lower, this represents a significant improvement. Their early-season form suggests that they are capable of mounting a serious challenge for a European spot, particularly if they can maintain consistency over the long haul.

Udinese’s strong start to the season has been built on a solid defense and an ability to capitalize on counterattacking opportunities. Despite their impressive form, they tasted their first defeat of the season last weekend, succumbing 3-0 to Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. The loss may have prevented them from claiming top spot in the Serie A standings, but it didn’t appear to affect their morale. Just days later, Udinese bounced back in the Coppa Italia, defeating Salernitana 3-1 in the round of 32 to book their place in the last 16 of the competition.

One of Udinese’s greatest strengths this season has been their formidable home form. Including the Coppa Italia matches, they have won all four of their home fixtures in the 2024-25 campaign. This impressive streak at the Dacia Arena has given Udinese a sense of belief that they can upset an Inter side that has struggled to find consistency in recent weeks.

A Test of Resilience for Inter:

For Inter Milan, the upcoming match against Udinese is not just about getting back to winning ways—it’s also about regaining confidence. After a period of inconsistency, Inter’s players and coaching staff will need to demonstrate that they can handle setbacks and quickly turn the tide in their favor. Their inability to secure an away victory so far this season is a significant issue, as championship-winning teams are typically able to pick up crucial points on the road.

One key aspect of the game will be whether Inter can rediscover their scoring touch. While the team has shown glimpses of attacking brilliance, including goals from key players like Lautaro Martinez, they have struggled to maintain a cutting edge in the final third. Martinez, who was instrumental in helping Argentina secure the 2024 Copa America title earlier this year, will be expected to lead the line and provide the goals needed to secure three points.

Inzaghi will also be hoping for a more stable defensive performance. While Inter have one of the strongest defensive units in Serie A on paper, individual errors have cost them in recent games. The absence of Stefan de Vrij due to injury has forced Inzaghi to reshuffle his backline, and this has contributed to a lack of cohesion at times. Veteran goalkeeper André Onana, who has been solid since his arrival at the club, will play a key role in organizing the defense and keeping Udinese’s attacking threats at bay.

Udinese’s Opportunity to Shine:

Meanwhile, Udinese will see this match as an opportunity to further cement their position as one of the surprise packages of the season. Head coach Kosta Runjaic has done an excellent job in transforming the team into a well-organized and dangerous outfit. Key players like striker Beto and midfielder Lazar Samardzic have been pivotal to their success, with both players providing crucial goals and assists.

Beto, in particular, has emerged as a genuine attacking threat. His pace, strength, and ability to hold up play have caused problems for opposing defenses, and he will be one of Udinese's main weapons against Inter. Samardzic, on the other hand, has been pulling the strings in midfield, dictating the tempo of the game and creating opportunities for his teammates. If these two players are in top form, Udinese will have a real chance of causing an upset.

Another factor working in Udinese's favor is the pressure on Inter to perform. With the Nerazzurri expected to challenge for the Serie A title, any slip-up will be scrutinized, and this could play into Udinese's hands. Runjaic will likely set up his team to frustrate Inter by sitting deep and looking to hit them on the break. This strategy has worked well for Udinese in the past, and with Inter’s recent defensive vulnerabilities, it could be a winning formula.

Conclusion:

The clash between Udinese and Inter Milan promises to be an intriguing encounter, with both sides having plenty to prove. For Inter, it’s a chance to bounce back from a painful derby defeat and end their winless run, while for Udinese, it’s an opportunity to continue their excellent start to the season and solidify their place among the Serie A elite.

History favors Inter in this fixture, but Udinese’s home form and newfound confidence suggest that the Nerazzurri will face a stern test. If Inter can rediscover their attacking rhythm and tighten up at the back, they should have enough quality to come away with all three points. However, Udinese will be ready to capitalize on any mistakes and could well pull off a shock result if Inter fail to rise to the occasion.

Ultimately, this match could have significant implications for both teams’ ambitions this season. A win for Inter would put them back on track in the title race, while a victory for Udinese would further enhance their credentials as a top-four contender. The stage is set for a fascinating contest in Udine, and fans can expect a high-stakes encounter as two teams with contrasting expectations go head-to-head.