Inter Milan secured a crucial victory against Udinese Calcio on March 30, 2025, in a Serie A match that saw them maintain their lead in the title race. The match ended with a score of 2-1, with Inter taking a commanding lead before Udinese attempted a late comeback.
Coming into the match, Inter faced a few challenges. They were without key players, including Lautaro Martinez and Denzel Dumfries due to injuries, while Alessandro Bastoni was suspended following a red card in their previous match against Atalanta. However, there was a silver lining as Federico Dimarco made his return to the squad after battling health issues for several weeks.
The first half of the match was a showcase of Inter's attacking prowess. From the very first whistle, they dominated possession and pushed Udinese back into a defensive stance. In the 12th minute, Dimarco delivered a precise cross that found Marko Arnautović, who scored with a left-footed shot, beating Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye to give Inter a 1-0 lead.
Inter continued to apply pressure, and their efforts paid off again in the 29th minute. Dimarco, proving to be a pivotal player, set up Davide Frattesi, who doubled Inter's lead to 2-0. The home side went into halftime with a comfortable advantage, leaving Udinese struggling to create any significant chances.
As the second half began, Inter seemed to ease off the gas, perhaps with one eye on their upcoming Coppa Italia clash against AC Milan. This shift in intensity allowed Udinese to find their rhythm, and they began to create some opportunities. In the 71st minute, Oumar Solet pulled one back for Udinese with a stunning strike from outside the box, making it 2-1 and igniting hope for the visitors.
Udinese's goal energized the team, and they started to threaten Inter's defense more frequently. A few minutes later, Lorenzo Lucca had a golden opportunity to equalize, but his header was brilliantly saved by Inter's goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
The final moments of the match were tense, not just for the players on the field but for Inter's coach Simone Inzaghi, who was shown a red card by referee Daniele Chiffi for his protests. Despite the late pressure from Udinese, Inter held on to secure the three points, marking their twentieth victory of the season and bringing their total to 67 points in the league standings.
Nicola Zalewski made his long-awaited return to the pitch in the 76th minute, replacing Matteo Darmian. Zalewski had been sidelined since mid-February due to an injury, missing six matches for Inter and two for the Polish national team.
Inter's victory comes at a crucial time as they await the outcome of Napoli’s match against AC Milan later in the evening. With this win, Inter has temporarily extended their lead over Napoli to six points, intensifying the competition for the Scudetto.
In terms of lineups, Inter fielded a 3-5-2 formation featuring Sommer in goal, supported by a defensive trio of Pavard, Acerbi, and Carlos Augusto. The midfield saw Frattesi, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, and Dimarco, while Arnautović and Thuram led the attack. On the other hand, Udinese set up in a 3-5-1-1 formation with Okoye as their goalkeeper, and Solet, who scored their lone goal, playing a pivotal role in defense.
As the Serie A season progresses, Inter's ability to maintain their form will be tested, especially with critical matches coming up. The team showed resilience and skill against Udinese, but the late-game nerves highlighted areas for improvement as they aim for the title.
Overall, it was a match filled with excitement, showcasing the competitive spirit of Serie A. With the title race heating up, every point is vital, and Inter's performance today keeps them firmly in the hunt for the championship.
