Simone Inzaghi is wary ahead of Inter’s meeting with Udinese, pointing to the opponent’s quality, its frustration after a 3-3 draw with Verona and the Nerazzurri’s record against the Friuli club. Inter have shown signs of greater maturity against lower-ranked teams, but the coach remains cautious when his side faces an opponent viewed as less strong on paper.
The history includes several setbacks around the festive period. In December 2017, Inter were beaten 3-1 by Udinese at San Siro while leading the league. Seven days into December 2014, Roberto Mancini’s side lost 2-1 at home, with Andrea Stramaccioni then in charge of Udinese. Stramaccioni had also overseen Inter defeats to Udinese in January 2013: 3-0 away and 5-2 at San Siro on the final day of the season.
Walter Mazzarri’s Inter lost 1-0 away to Udinese in January 2014. Leonardo and Claudio Ranieri also suffered defeats to the club, in January and December 2011 respectively. The article notes that Udinese have beaten several Inter managers, including Luciano Spalletti, Mancini, Mazzarri, Stramaccioni, Ranieri and Leonardo.
Inzaghi’s most recent reminder came on September 18, 2022, when Inter lost 3-1 away to Udinese. Nicolò Barella put Inter ahead after five minutes, but an own goal by Milan Škriniar and strikes from Jaka Bijol and Tolgay Arslan turned the match around. It was Inter’s third defeat in seven league games that season; they went on to record 12 losses and finish 18 points behind champions Napoli.
Sources: La Gazzetta dello Sport.