Inter 2 - 0 Udinese: Clinical Correa inspires Inter

Inter Milan closed the gap at the top of Serie A after a 2-0 victory over Udinese at the San Siro. Joaquín Correa scored a brace as the ‘Nerazzurri’ continued their excellent H2H record against Udinese, losing just one of the last 14 league meetings.

Several first-team regulars were left on the bench ahead of Inter’s Champions League meeting with Sheriff Tiraspol in midweek, leading to a lack of fluency in a cagey first half. Nicolò Barella was the player that looked the most threatening, but the midfielder was unable to break the deadlock from four attempts on goal. 

His best opportunity came on a swift counter attack as Correa’s clever pass gave him a one-on-one, but his low effort was well saved by Marco Silvestri. Andrea Ranocchia also had a good chance to open the scoring, but his close-range header sailed over the bar.

Simone Inzaghi’s men were finally rewarded for their dominance, taking a deserved lead on the hour mark. Correa’s mazy run into the box was finished wonderfully into the bottom corner by the Argentinian for his third Serie A goal since joining on loan from Lazio. 

Momentum was firmly behind the hosts, and Correa doubled the lead within 10 minutes of netting the opener. Denzel Dumfries’ pass gave the forward acres of space on the edge of the box to place into the top corner, giving his side an unassailable lead.

The hosts held on for a crucial victory as they pursue Napoli and Milan at the top of the table, all while resting the likes of Lautaro Martínez. Meanwhile, Udinese are now winless in eight Serie A games, and have only scored once in their last eight meetings with Inter.