Serie A

League Leaders Inter Kick Off the Matchday in Udine

The Friulani are looking for some consistency and to pick up points to stay clear of the relegation zone, while Inter aim to defend their position at the top and extend their lead over the chasers.

Inter kick off Saturday’s round at the Bluenergy Stadium, coming off the back of eight positive results in a row and with a stellar away record: seven wins from nine matches, the best in the league. Chivu’s side have demonstrated that they can take on challenges, relying on squad depth, decisive goals from Pio Esposito, and Sommer, who is back to his best, gaining a two-point advantage over last year’s Inter, who were led by Inzaghi. The numbers reveal that this is a side that are deadly in the final minutes (ten goals in the last 15 minutes) and almost impenetrable at the back (ten clean sheets, level with Lazio). The Nerazzurri are hoping to settle the score with Udinese after their unexpected defeat at San Siro on 31 August, the first of four encounters between Inter and Udinese this season. Udinese are currently sitting at twelve points above the relegation zone, and are hoping to secure their third positive result and rely on Kenan Davis (six goals and three assists), a striker who is in impeccable form and able to carry the attack almost single-handedly, and who has already made his way onto the scoresheet against Inter from the penalty spot in their first meeting of the season.

DISCIPLINE

Suspended: Zaniolo (Udinese),

Cautioned: Karlstrom (Udinese) Calhanoglu (Inter)

REFEREE

DI BELLO (BERCIGLI – ZINGARELLI) IV: FELICIANI, VAR: MAZZOLENI, AVAR: LA PENNA

UPCOMING MATCHES

Verona-Udinese (Monday January 26, 20.45 CET)

Inter-Pisa (Friday January 23, 20.45 CET)

(Photo Getty Images)