Inter overcame Udinese in a 4-0 thrashing win at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Saturday evening.
Following a dominant win over reigning Scudetto champions Napoli in the previous round of Serie A and ahead of the final UEFA Champions League match of the group stage, Inter were able to come out victorious against Udinese. Inter made one change to the starting XI compared to the SkySport Italy prediction and lined up as follows (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Çalhanoğlu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro.
Udinese, looking to record a second win at the San Siro ground this season, lined up as follows (3-5-2): Silvestri; João Ferreira, Kabasele, Pérez; Ebosele, Samardžić, Walace, Payero, Zemura; Pereyra, Lucca.
Inter began the match on the front foot, with Lautaro Martínez nearly opening the score in the 10th minute with a header hitting the post off of a perfect cross from Federico Dimarco. Just a few moments later in the 13th minute, Yann Bisseck put in a lovely cross for Federico Dimarco, who was denied by Udinese goalkeeper Marco Silvestri.
In the 35th minute of play, Lautaro Martínez was pulled back in the opposing box and after VAR had a look at the replay, Inter was awarded a penalty. Hakan Çalhanoğlu stepped up and slotted the penalty, as he has done on all TEN other occasions he has taken a penalty since his Inter debut. The midfielder is 100% from the spot with the Nerazzurri.
In what felt like just seconds later, Hakan Çalhanoğlu found Federico Dimarco on the left-hand side, who hit the ball first-time and doubled Inter’s lead after 42 minutes. Hakan with a goal and assist in a matter of minutes!
To end the first half, Henrikh Mkhitaryan put a cross-box ball in and found Marcus Thuram for an easy tap-in. After 30 minutes of peppering the visitors with shots, the hosts found themselves up by 3 goals in a span of 7 minutes and a comfortable lead at half.
In the 84th minute, Lautaro Martínez won the ball back around half, the Inter captain had been working hard defensively all match. Lautaro carried the ball forward on his own, and struck from outside the area into the left hand side of the goal. That marks 28 Serie A goals in the 2023 calendar year for the forward, reaching a record held by former Inter forwards Diego Milito in 2012 and Christian Vieri in 2001.
After a convincing display from each player involved, here is how we have rated the individual performances from our stars today.
Player Ratings
Yann Sommer – 7
Did not have much work to do, as Udinese were unable to find the target many times. Kept another clean sheet, taking his total to 10 out of 15 Serie A matches- a record for any goalkeeper in Serie A since the 3-point era.
Yann Bisseck – 7.5
Was bursting forward the entire first half, creating several chances and a big chance early in the match. A full Serie A debut to be proud of.
Francesco Acerbi – 7
Solid as per usual from the veteran. Nothing to complain about.
Alessandro Bastoni – 7
A long awaited return from injury and put in a perfect shift. The ideal modern centreback, often found himself in the final third putting the ball in the box for his teammates.
Matteo Darmian – 7
The perfect utility player. Put in a shift at right wingback to cover for the injured Denzel Dumfries and Juan Cuadrado who is not fully fit, and then covered the left wing-back side when Federico Dimarco was brought off.
Nicolò Barella – 7
Set up several opportunities, including one of his trademark back-heel flicks which nearly came off in the first half. Looking more and more like the Barella we all know.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu – 8.5
Back-to-back Serie A goals for the regista, continuing his 100% penalty conversion rate and adding to his assist tally. A complete midfielder.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 7
Aging like fine wine. The Armenian seemed to be everywhere on the pitch, recovering balls and bursting forward until the moment he was brought off.
Federico Dimarco – 7
Scored a brilliant goal and continued his fine form as one of Europe’s top left wing-backs this season. One thing to work on could be his crossing.
Marcus Thuram – 7.5
Scored a very easy goal, but created many more opportunities for himself and his team. What a joy to watch and glad that he is a part of this Inter team.
Lautaro Martínez (C) – 7.5
An incredibly hard-working match, both offensively and defensively. The cherry on top came with a fabulous solo goal, now 14 in 15 Serie A matches this season for our captain.
Substitutes
Carlos Augusto – 6.5
Played again at right centre-back and did his job. Did particularly well winning aerial duels.
Marko Arnautović – 4.5
Not involved much in play, only managed 13 touches of the ball in over 30 minutes.
Juan Cuadrado – 5.5
Created a solid chance and did well despite not being 100% fit.
Kristjan Asllani – 6
Did his job in the middle of the park, especially with his trademark long-balls.
Stefano Sensi – 6
A rare appearance for the Italian midfielder but did well. Showed glimpses of the player he can be, even with only 10 minutes of action.
