Overview
Despite losing 2 points in the decisive match for the Serie A top spot against Napoli in the previous round, Inter still promptly took advantage of the latest mistake of the defending champion.
Just hours after Napoli was held to a draw for the third consecutive time - this time right at home against Parma - Nerazzurri won minimally against Lecce at San Siro.
Marking the 19th victory in 20 home games against Lecce, Inter had to rely on the mark of two reserve strikers in the final minutes. Captain Lautaro Martinez launched a powerful shot forcing the opponent's goalkeeper to block, before Francesco Pio Esposito quickly volleyed, bringing the only goal of the match.
Although not at their peak form, adding 3 points and one clean sheet is enough for Chivu to be satisfied, as Inter continues to maintain their leading position in Serie A.
Before entering the big challenge at the UEFA Champions League with the away match against Arsenal next week, Inter Milan will have a trip to the north to face Udinese.
At Dacia Arena, Chivu's team aims to extend their 5-game winning streak away from home, and at the same time seek to avenge their rare home defeats at the beginning of the season.
In the first leg at the end of August last year, after six consecutive consecutive defeats to Nerazzurri in all competitions, Udinese created a big surprise. The black and white striped team left San Siro with a full 3 points thanks to two goals in the first half from Arthur Atta and Keinan Davis.
A few months have passed, it is still considered the biggest highlight of Udinese in the 2025-2026 season, when the Friuli team mainly maintains a safe position in the mid-table area.
After 20 rounds, Kosta Runjaic's team is currently ranked 10th, almost no longer having the opportunity to compete for a European cup spot but also quite reassured in the relegation battle for the second consecutive season.
Last weekend, Udinese once led at home against Pisa, a team facing many difficulties in Serie A, but could not maintain their advantage and let the opponent equalize in the middle of the second half.
With a record of only 3 wins after 10 home matches since the beginning of the season, defeating Inter is clearly a not small challenge for the home team at Dacia Arena.
Personnel situation
After making five changes in the midweek match, Chivu is likely to continue to rotate the squad. Key regular starters such as captain Lautaro Martinez and main striker Federico Dimarco are expected to return to the starting lineup.
Because Marcus Thuram has not regained his best form since returning from injury in November last year, Francesco Pio Esposito or Ange-Yoan Bonny may be chosen to pair with Martinez in attack.
In midfield, Hakan Calhanoglu suffered a hamstring injury in the 2-2 draw with Napoli and will be sidelined. Also absent from him are Josep Martinez and Denzel Dumfries, both due to injuries.
On the Udinese side, the home team does not have the service of former Inter player Nicolo Zaniolo, who has to serve a one-match suspension for receiving enough yellow cards.
In the context of Iker Bravo preparing to join Las Palmas on loan, Kosta Runjaic is likely to continue to place his trust in center forward Keinan Davis.
Expected lineup:
Okoye, Kristensen, Kabasele, Solet, Zanoli, Piotrowski, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp, Kamara, Atta, Davis.
Inter Milan: Sommer, Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni, Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Sucic, Dimarco, Martinez, Esposito.
The match between Udinese and Inter Milan takes place at 9:00 PM on January 17 (Vietnam time).
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