Lautaro Martinez Strike Sends Inter Milan Six Points Clear

Inter Milan’s push for the Serie A title gathered even more steam on January 17, 2026, as they edged out Udinese 1-0 in a tense, hard-fought contest at the Dacia Arena. The Nerazzurri’s captain, Lautaro Martínez, delivered the decisive moment with a clinical right-footed finish in the 20th minute, a goal that ultimately separated the two sides and sent Inter six points clear at the top of the table. For Inter, this wasn’t just another three points—it was a statement of intent, a demonstration of resilience, and a subtle nod to the progress made since their last stumble against Udinese earlier in the season.

Heading into the fixture, anticipation was high. Inter Milan CEO Giuseppe Marotta, speaking to DAZN before kickoff, acknowledged the significance of the match—not just for the league standings, but for the club’s psyche. He reflected on the earlier defeat to Udinese, describing it as “simply a matter of circumstances, with full respect to Udinese. It came during a period of technical change, so the coach needed time to understand workloads. Now the values have emerged.” Marotta’s words set the tone for a squad determined to show how far they’d come.

The match itself unfolded with Inter taking the initiative from the opening whistle. Cristian Chivu’s men pressed high, swarming Udinese’s defenders and forcing errors. The tactical blueprint was clear: defend from the front, keep the lines compact, and strike with purpose. “What we’re displaying on the pitch is a testament to the desire of these players, because it’s not easy to change habits,” Chivu told DAZN after the final whistle. “We defend high up the pitch and we start with pressure from the forwards and it comes from their work, the desire for our midfielders to win duels and from the courage of our defenders in maintaining a high line.”

That aggressive approach paid dividends early. In the 20th minute, Inter’s pressing forced a turnover, and Francesco Pio Esposito threaded a perfect ball to Martínez. The Argentine striker made no mistake, slotting a right-footed shot to the bottom right corner past Udinese’s Maduka Okoye. It was Martínez’s 11th goal of the Serie A campaign, further cementing his status as one of the league’s deadliest finishers.

With the lead secured, Inter continued to dictate the tempo. Their midfield trio, marshaled by Nicolò Barella and Piotr Zielinski, snapped into tackles and recycled possession efficiently. Udinese, for their part, struggled to break out of their own half for much of the opening period, with Inter’s high press suffocating their attempts to build from the back. The hosts did manage a few forays forward, but Inter’s back line—anchored by Francesco Acerbi and Manuel Akanji—stood firm.

The first half concluded with Inter in control, but the contest was far from over. Udinese emerged from the break with renewed energy, introducing Lennon Miller for the injured Jakub Piotrowski. They carved out a handful of half-chances, with Oumar Solet and Thomas Kristensen both firing narrowly wide. Inter’s Yann Sommer was called into action, making a crucial save from Piotrowski’s low drive in the 35th minute, but for the most part, the Swiss keeper remained unflustered.

As the second half wore on, the match grew increasingly scrappy. Fouls and free kicks punctuated the action, with both sides making a flurry of substitutions. Inter rotated their squad, bringing on Stefan de Vrij, Petar Sucic, Davide Frattesi, and Francesco Acerbi to shore up the defense and maintain midfield control. Udinese responded with their own changes, but struggled to find a breakthrough. Okoye, Udinese’s goalkeeper, kept the scoreline respectable with several sharp stops, including a sprawling save from Federico Dimarco’s curling effort.

Despite Udinese’s late push, Inter’s organization and discipline held firm. The Nerazzurri absorbed pressure, broke up play, and managed the clock expertly. Four minutes of added time in the second half saw Udinese throw everything forward, but Inter’s defense—bolstered by fresh legs and tactical fouls—snuffed out any real danger. The final whistle was met with a roar from the traveling supporters, as Inter’s players embraced in celebration of a hard-earned victory.

The significance of the win was not lost on Marotta, who praised the team’s mentality in the aftermath. “That embrace showed a key moment in the season,” he explained. “Not only technical quality, but also mental strength. This league drains you physically and psychologically. Against Lecce we won with anger and motivation, qualities that Chivu has transmitted to the squad. Today we face a team built on physicality, and that is the spirit we need.”

Inter’s triumph in Udine extended their unbeaten run in Serie A to nine matches, a remarkable stretch during which they’ve collected 25 points from a possible 27 since losing the Milan derby at the end of November. That consistency has been the difference in a title race where AC Milan and Napoli—last season’s champions—have both faltered against so-called smaller sides. Napoli, now nine points adrift after three consecutive draws, face Sassuolo in hopes of reviving their challenge. AC Milan, in second, remain six points back despite their own unbeaten streak, while Juventus—improving under Luciano Spalletti—trail Inter by ten.

There’s little time for Inter to rest on their laurels, however. The Nerazzurri now turn their attention to a high-stakes Champions League clash against Premier League leaders Arsenal on Tuesday. After four straight wins to start the group stage, back-to-back defeats have left Inter’s qualification hopes hanging in the balance. Chivu’s men will need all the resilience and tactical discipline they showed in Udine if they’re to progress in Europe’s elite competition.

Off the pitch, the match was also marked by a moment of reflection. Marotta paid tribute to the late Fiorentina owner Rocco Commisso, remembering him as “one of the last patron-style presidents in football” and praising his “immense passion” and contributions to Italian football. “He was born in Italy, found success abroad, and then returned to live this sport in a city like Florence. I hope his family continue what he started,” Marotta said, underscoring the sense of community and tradition that still runs deep in Serie A.

With the final whistle in Udine, Inter Milan’s grip on the Scudetto race tightened just a bit more. Their blend of tactical innovation, mental fortitude, and ruthless finishing has set them apart in a fiercely competitive league. There’s still a long road ahead, but if Saturday’s performance is any indication, Inter have both the tools and the mentality to stay at the summit until the end.