Inter Mounts Spectacular Comeback to Defeat Udinese 5-3

Inter repeated their recent Serie A feat, overturning a 2-0 deficit to win again. This time, they triumphed 5-3 against Udinese in a chaotic match at San Siro.

Following their 3-2 victory over Napoli after being down by two goals, Inter experienced a 2-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League midweek, marked by individual errors.

Cristian Chivu made several changes to the lineup, featuring John Stones in his first start. Lautaro Martinez, Yann Bisseck, and Hakan Calhanoglu were rested. Federico Dimarco was not fully fit, and Djed Spence was sidelined with injury. Udinese faced their own injury struggles, missing Oumar Solet, Nicolò Zaniolo, Juan Arizala, Matteo Palma, and Jakub Piotrowski, the latter undergoing surgery for a cardiac arrhythmia.

Udinese took an unexpected early lead. A short corner led to Unai Gomez's cross, finding James Abankwah unmarked for a header into the top corner from close range. It marked the former Watford midfielder's debut Serie A goal.

Marcus Thuram had an opportunity from a Niccolò Barella pass, but his header and follow-up were saved by Maduka Okoye.

Inter appeared sluggish, reacting slowly to concede a second goal. Keinan Davis advanced down the left, passing to Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, who tapped in at the near post unchallenged.

Thuram's penalty appeal for a challenge by Christian Kabasele was denied. Assistant manager Aleksandar Kolarov was sent off for dissent.

Inter pulled a goal back when Carlos Augusto unleashed a powerful left-footed strike from 20 yards into the far bottom corner, scoring for the second consecutive game after finding the net against Real Madrid.

The two-goal deficit vanished within ten minutes. After Hassane Kamara lost possession, Barella, initially stumbling on Thuram's layoff, recovered to fire an angled shot into the net.

Barella nearly completed the comeback before halftime, his shot acrobatically saved by Okoye. Henrikh Mkhitaryan's subsequent effort was blocked.

Following the break, Okoye made a crucial save against Mkhitaryan. Kamara was then caught out as Andy Diouf's pass found Barella, who crossed for Thuram to sweep home from close range. For the second Serie A match in a row, Inter moved from 2-0 down to a 3-2 lead.

Stones had to leave the field due to injury. Inter extended their lead to 4-2 through a well-constructed passing sequence, with Curtis Jones and Piotr Zielinski setting up Pio Esposito for a low drive.

Dimarco, returning from injury, was involved in the fifth goal. A team effort involving Dimarco, Esposito, and Diouf allowed Ange-Yoan Bonny to score, with the initial shot saved but the rebound converted.

Aleksandar Stankovic came close to a sixth goal, his deflected free-kick hitting the post.

Udinese scored a late consolation in added time, with Vakoun Bayo controlling a cross for Idrissa Gueye to slide in at the back post.

Inter 5-3 Udinese

Goals: Abankwah 9' (U), Ekkelenkamp 16' (U), Carlos Augusto 26' (I), Barella 35' (I), Thuram 57' (I), Pio Esposito 67' (I), Bonny 79' (I), Gueye 91' (U)