Inter Milan can have one hand on the Serie A title if they defeat Udinese on Monday night.
Inter Milan would have hoped to take part in next week’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final but a late collapse against Atletico Madrid means they are now instead preparing to travel to Udinese in the Serie A fixture on Monday.
Simeone Inzaghi’s men are 11 points ahead of second-placed AC Milan with a game in hand. A win on Monday will see the Nerazzurri extend that to 14 points with seven games to go. It should more or less see them take a step closer to securing a second Scudetto in four years.
Inter have been an excellent cup team under Inzaghi but have only themselves to blame for bowing out of the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Champions League this season. While it is not comfort, they have been the standout side in the Italian top flight and will hope to make that count.
While the Nerazzurri are eyeing a 20th league title, Udinese have survival on their minds. Le Zebrette are just two points ahead of the 18th spot and could be in serious danger if they cannot put points on the board.
Inter Milan have displayed dominance in their recent encounters with Udinese, winning five out of their last six Serie A matches against them. In the process, they have scored a total of 17 goals, showcasing their attacking prowess. The reverse fixture was a one-sided affair with Inter running out 4-0 winners.
But despite history being against them, Udinese have shown some fight in recent weeks. Winning away at both Juventus and Lazio proves that Gabriele Cioffi’s men could rise to the occasion when the going gets tough. Whether that will be the case this Monday or the gap in quality with Inter prove too big to bridge remains to be seen. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up for the game and their tactics.
Team News & Tactics
Udinese
Le Zebrette have been poor at home, picking up just 12 out of a potential 45 points this season in Serie A. In fact, they have won just once all season at the Bluenergy Stadium. Udinese will be without their main striker, Lorenzo Lucca, who is suspended due to accumulated bookings. Isaac Success is expected to step in as his replacement alongside Florian Thauvin in the attacking lineup.
Furthermore, Udinese will also be without Gerard Deulofeu, who has been sidelined for over a year, as well as Keinan Davis and Brazilian forward Brenner. Meanwhile, Serbian midfielder Lazar Samardzic, who narrowly missed out on a move to Inter last summer, will be eager to make an impression.
The home side are expected to line up in a 3-5-2 formation, with Maduka Okoye in between the sticks. He should be protected by the back three of Joao Ferreira, Jaka Bijol, and Nehuen Perez. Roberto Pereyra and Hassane Kamara should act as the full-backs and provide the width.
Walace should be the midfield pivot, with Sandi Lovric and Lazar Samardzic in support in the middle of the park. Florian Thauvin should act as the second striker while Isaac Success should lead the line.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Okoye; Ferreira, Bijol, Perez; Pereyra, Lovric, Walace, Samardzic, Kamara; Thauvin; Success
Inter Milan
Inter Milan will welcome back Marko Arnautovic after a month-long absence, providing a boost to their attacking options. However, they may face uncertainty in defence, with defensive duo Alessandro Bastoni and Stefan de Vrij both doubtful due to injuries (Bastoni with a flexor issue and de Vrij with a thigh problem).
On the other hand, Juan Cuadrado is the only confirmed absentee for Inter Milan, with the Colombian veteran sidelined due to an Achilles injury. Simone Inzaghi has an otherwise fully-fit squad and should go with his preferred 3-5-2 formation on the night.
Yann Sommer should return to the starting XI in goal behind the back three of Benjamin Pavard, Francesco Acerbi and Carlos Augusto. Matteo Darmian and Federico Dimarco should provide the width with the trio of Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglou, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan holding fort in the middle of the park.
Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez should lead the line with the latter keen to end a three-game run without a goal.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Augusto; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Key Stats
- Inter Milan have won five of their last six Serie A matches against Udinese.
- Udinese have failed to score in eight of the last 12 league games against Inter Milan.
- Avoiding defeat on the night will see Udinese go two straight home games without a loss against Inter Milan for the first time since 2008.
- Udinese have failed to get the same result in a row in Serie A for nine games now.
- Victory on the night will take Inter Milan to 82 points, a tally surpassed at this stage by only Juven tus in 2018/19.
Player to Watch
Lautaro Martinez
The Argentine striker is Inter Milan’s ace striker but is going through a spell of three games without a goal. He has found the back of the net four times in six clashes against Udinese and will be keen to rediscover that goalscoring touch on the night.
Martinez is always capable of turning up the heat and making a difference on a game day. His ability to link up with Marcus Thuram adds a new dimension to the Inter frontline. As long as he turns up, the visitors are more or less assured of all three points.
Prediction
Udinese 0-2 Inter Milan
Udinese are fighting for their lives, but Inter Milan have far too much quality to be caught out. More so, given their losses in cup competitions, Simone Inzaghi will be keen to not let his side lower their guard. The game is unlikely to be pretty nor one-sided but the Nerazzuri should come away with all three points on the night.
