Inter Milan defended their Serie A lead with a 1‑0 away victory over Udinese on 17 January 2026. Justin Kluivert’s decisive strike in the 65th minute gave the Nerazzurri three points, extending their advantage to five points over AC Milan. Despite missing midfield stalwarts Nicolo Barella and Marcelo Brozović, Inter showed tactical resilience and maintained first place.
Pre‑Match Context
Entering the match, Inter sat on 58 points, five ahead of second‑placed AC Milan. Injuries had sidelined central midfielders Nicolo Barella and Marcelo Brozović, forcing coach Simone Inzaghi to reshuffle the lineup. Udinese, under Luca Gotti, occupied tenth place with 38 points and had struggled for consistency, recording only one win in their previous five league games.
Match Timeline
First Half
Inter dominated possession from the kickoff, pressing Udinese high up the pitch. In the 23rd minute, Lautaro Martínez fired a shot that struck the post after a chance inside the 16‑meter box. Later, in the 38th minute, Romelu Lukaku received a long ball from Matteo Darmian, broke through the defense, and saw his effort hit the crossbar.
Second Half
Inter continued to probe Udinese’s back line. The breakthrough arrived in the 65th minute when Milan Škriniar drew a foul and the resulting set‑piece was delivered to substitute Justin Kluivert, who cut inside and slotted the ball into the top corner for the only goal.
Udinese responded quickly, creating a chance in the 81st minute as Álvaro Morata found space in the box, but Inter goalkeeper Walter Benítez saved the ensuing shot.
Key Moments & Tactical Analysis
- Defensive Shift: After taking the lead, Inter switched to a 3‑5‑2 formation, with Alessandro Bastoni and Danilo D’Ambrosio providing additional cover on the flanks.
- Impact of Injuries: The absence of Barella and Brozović highlighted Inter’s depth; central defender Milan Škriniar temporarily filled midfield duties without compromising defensive stability.
- Substitute Influence: Justin Kluivert’s introduction proved decisive, demonstrating the squad’s ability to produce match‑winning contributions from the bench.
Implications for the Title Race
With the victory, Inter moved to 61 points after 21 rounds, preserving a five‑point cushion over AC Milan. Maintaining an average of at least 2 points per remaining match will keep the Nerazzurri on a clear path to the Scudetto, even as they navigate further midfield injuries.
Future Outlook
Inter’s next challenges will test the squad’s adaptability, especially if the midfield injuries persist. Young talents such as Bastoni and Kluivert are expected to shoulder greater responsibility. Udinese must address their scoring woes and tighten defensive lapses to climb back toward the mid‑table and avoid a relegation battle.
Conclusion
Inter’s 1‑0 win at Udinese reinforces their dominance in the 2025/26 Serie A campaign, showcasing tactical flexibility and squad depth. The result adds valuable points to the title chase, while Udinese must regroup to improve their offensive output and secure their league position.
