Advertisement
Imago/PA Images

Feeling the pressure? Serie A leaders Inter Milan lose unbeaten record with shock Udinese defeat

Napoli and Juve could take advantage.

INTER MILAN LOST their Serie A unbeaten status after a shock 3-1 home defeat to Udinese today that puts their position at the top of the league under threat.

Inter stay temporarily top on 40 points after their first defeat of the season, which came thanks to a Rodrigo De Paul penalty and Antonin Barak tap-in adding to Kevin Lasagna’s opener after Mauro Icardi had equalised for the hosts.

But they can be overtaken by Napoli, who are one point behind Inter in second, if they win at Torino later on Saturday.

The loss for Luciano Spalletti’s side also gives third-placed Juventus, themselves just two points back, the opportunity to leapfrog their old rivals Inter at Bologna on Sunday.

Inter looked like they were set to maintain their unbeaten record and momentarily extend their lead at the top when Icardi levelled the scores with a smart volley just 71 seconds after Lasagna’s 14th-minute opener.

But despite dominating, the hosts could not find the breakthrough, and were punished just after the hour mark.

Inter defender Davide Santon compounded a poor display by handballing Silvan Widner’s cross, and after referee Maurizio Mariani consulted the video assistant referee to check that the ball had not gone out before the Udinese right-back reached the ball, he awarded the penalty from which De Paul gave the away side the lead.

Inter continued to push and almost levelled in the 68th minute when Milan Skriniar thumped Antonio Candreva’s cross off the bar, but were punished when Barak finished a lightning break with 13 minutes left to sink the home side.

- © AFP 2017

The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):

Author
View comments
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel