Three points against Napoli and six against Atalanta, beaten 2-0 in Bergamo (Carlos Augusto and Lautaro) on the last day before the break. The Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi couldn’t have asked for anything better: two weeks ago his Inter team could have scored the Scudetto, repelling the assault of one of the two teams still in the running for the championship and taking advantage of another misstep by the Neapolitans, who were stopped by Venezia.
However, the reigning Italian champions have two very intense months ahead of them, in which, unlike their competitors, they will have to play more matches, as they are still engaged on three fronts (championship, Champions League and Coppa Italia). The Nerazzurri have a real tour de force ahead of them: on the horizon are the double challenges with Milan in the Coppa Italia semifinals and with Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals. Four games that will inevitably take a lot of energy. It is therefore essential not to lose matches that on paper seem within reach, such as the one against Udinese at San Siro, which must be won at all costs to put further pressure on Napoli, who a few hours later will face Milan at the “Maradona” stadium. Once they have reached 40 points, the Friulians will have to be careful of the so-called “full stomach” syndrome. With safety already secured and a place in the Europa League too far away, it won’t be easy to find motivation between now and May. We saw this on the last matchday against Verona, who managed to win at the Bluenergy Stadium (0-1) and interrupt the long winning streak of the Bianconeri, who hadn’t lost since January.
Inter-Udinese: the latest news on the lineups
It was a bittersweet break for Inzaghi. The Nerazzurri coach has recovered Darmian and Dimarco, who will play on the wings, but at the same time he will be without two regular starters, Dumfries and Lautaro Martinez, who are injured. These absences are in addition to the very serious one of Bastoni, who is suspended. There is still some faint hope for the Argentine striker, who returned immediately to Italy – he did not play in either of the two matches with the national team – but he will probably be evaluated on the day. In attack, alongside Thuram, one of Arnautovic or Correa will play.
Thauvin will not be playing for Udinese, having already missed the game against Verona. At San Siro, Runjaic will probably revert to a 3-5-2 formation.
Odds comparison
Inter’s win is quoted at 1.38 on Goldbet, Lottomatica and Snai. The “No Goal” sign is quoted at 1.72 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.77 on Snai.
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The prediction
Third seasonal clash between Inter and Udinese, who also faced each other in the Coppa Italia last December. In Friuli, in September, it ended 3-2 for the Nerazzurri, but Inzaghi’s team also had the upper hand at San Siro, on that occasion also keeping a clean sheet (2-0). Inter remain favorites despite the important absences and it can’t be ruled out that they will record another clean sheet against Udinese, who have scored only three goals in the last four matches.
The probable line-ups for Inter-Udinese
INTER (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Carlos Augusto; Darmian, Frattesi, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Arnautovic.
UDINESE (3-5-2): Okoye; Kristensen, Solet, Bijol; Ehizibue, Lovric, Karlstrom, Payero, Kamara; Ekkelenkamp, Lucca.