Udinese-Inter is a Serie A Week 7 match played on Sunday at 12:30pm
The Dacia Arena is usually a place where you don’t pick up points easily, but this year it seems to have become a real fortress after Andrea Sottil’s Udinese’s sensational start. In the last ten years, the Friulians have never started so well: after six matches they are even fourth in the standings behind Napoli, Atalanta and Milan, and on equal points with Roma, who were overwhelmed 4-0 a fortnight ago in front of their own fans. Only the most optimistic could have imagined such a start. The Bianconeri have not suffered a defeat since their opener at the San Siro against AC Milan (4-2), a match in which they were able to hold their own against the Italian champions Rossoneri, only to concede in the second half. Since then Deulofeu and his team-mates have not stopped since: a home draw against Salernitana and four wins in a row (Monza, Fiorentina, Roma and Sassuolo).
A big surprise, especially from the offensive point of view: Udinese, besides conceding only six goals, scored 12, one less than Napoli, who boast the best attack in the tournament to date. This is obviously due to the new coach – a debutant in the top flight – but above all to the many young players who are exploding (Udogie, Beto, Lovric and Samardzic above all). In short, Inter – who have not lost in Udine since 2013 – are on notice. The away match in Friuli will certainly be a test for the Nerazzurri, who will be looking for confirmation after their narrow victory over Torino and the Champions League victory over Czech side Viktoria Plzen in the
Champions League, where they were beaten 2-0 thanks to goals from Dzeko and Dumfries.
Udinese-Inter: latest line-up news
Sottil will re-propose the 3-5-2 with Beto and Deulofeu as an attacking pair and Success ready to take over. Pereyra will again be adapted on the right flank, while Lovric and Makengo should play on Walace’s sides, the latter preferred to Arslan. At the back, the reconfirmation of Ebosse is a foregone conclusion, as the Slovenian Bijol is still not at his best.
On the other side, Inzaghi has to reckon with Calhanoglu’s suspension due to a muscle problem in his left thigh. In place of the Turk, the coach from Piacenza will launch former Roma player Mkhitaryan, preferred to Gagliardini. There is also likely to be a minimum of turnover: Dzeko could be rested – Correa is ready – as well as one of Skriniar and Dumfries. Lukaku is still absent: the Belgian ‘giant’ will only be available after the break.
The prediction
A really tricky trip for Inter, against the surprise of this start of the season. Udinese are in a good moment, have great confidence in their own means and could take advantage of a team that had to deal with a double commitment again during the week. Despite the Nerazzurri’s favourable record, in our opinion the Friulians might be able to avoid defeat in a match with at least one goal each.
- UDINESE (3-5-2): Silvestri; Perez, Becao, Ebosse; Pereyra, Lovric, Walace, Makengo, Udogie; Deulofeu, Beto.
- INTER (3-5-2): Handanovic; Skriniar, de Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Dzeko, Lautaro Martinez.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
