Udinese 1-2 Inter Milan: Ivan Perisic and Lautaro Martinez score as Inter close gap on AC Milan

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Udinese 1-2 Inter: Ivan Perisic and Lautaro Martinez score as Simone Inzaghi’s side close gap on Serie A leaders and rivals Milan to two points

  • Ivan Perisic and Lautaro Martinez scored as Inter Milan won 2-1 against Udinese
  • Martinez found the net from the rebound after his penalty was tipped onto post
  • Ignacio Pussetto got a goal back for Udinese but Inter held on to secure victory
  • The result means that Inter are two points behind Serie A leaders AC Milan 

By Peter Hall, Reuters

Published: | Updated:

Goals from Ivan Perisic and Lautaro Martinez earned Inter Milan a nervy 2-1 win at Udinese on Sunday as Simone Inzaghi’s side closed the gap on Serie A leaders AC Milan to two points.

Inter started well as Croatian forward Perisic shot a header into the net in the 12th minute to give the title chasers the lead.

After Edin Dzeko was fouled in the 39th minute, Martinez was presented with the perfect opportunity to make it two from the spot, with the Argentine striker finding the net but only from the rebound after his penalty had been tipped on to the post.

Lautaro Martinez was on the scoresheet as Inter Milan secured a 2-1 win against Udinese

Martinez found the net from the rebound after his penalty was tipped onto the post

Martinez found the net from the rebound after his penalty was tipped onto the post

Ivan Perisic opened the scoring for Inter Milan after being set up by Federico Dimarco

Ivan Perisic opened the scoring for Inter Milan after being set up by Federico Dimarco

Martinez has now scored 21 goals in all competitions this season, equalling his best tally in a single campaign for Inter.

Udinese did not give in after the break, and the pressure told as Ignacio Pussetto converted from close range to give his side hope with 18 minutes to play.

Inter survived further worrying moments in the latter stages in Udine, but held on to move on to 75 points from 35 matches played, two behind Milan after their victory over Fiorentina on Sunday. Udinese stay 12th on 43 points.

Ignacio Pussetto pulled a goal back for Udinese but Inter still managed to prevail

Ignacio Pussetto pulled a goal back for Udinese but Inter still managed to prevail

MATCH FACTS 

Udinese: Silvestri; Becao, Mari, Perez; Molina (Soppy 73), Arslan (Samardzic 46), Walace, Pereyra (Jajalo 80), Udogie; Success (Pussetto 27), Deulofeu

Subs: Ballarini, Benkovic, Nestorovski, Nuytinck, Zeegelaar, Padelli, Gasparini

Goal: Pussetto 72

Booked: Mari, Pereyra 

Inter Milan: Handanovic; Skriniar, De Vrij, Dimarco (D’Ambrosio 77); Darmian, Barella (Vecino 90), Brozovic, Gagliardini (Vidal 74), Perisic; Martinez (Sanchez 74), Dzeko (Correa 74)

Subs: Dumfries, Gosens, Caicedo, Ranocchia, Cordaz, Radu

Goals: Perisic 12, Martinez 39 

Booked: Vecino 

With their surprise defeat at Bologna in midweek, Inter opened the door for Milan to win a first Scudetto since 2011.

The champions now need the league leaders to slip up in their final three games if they are to defend their crown. Further dropped points in Udine would have left Inter really up against it but despite struggling in the second half they did enough to keep the pressure on, much to Inzaghi’s delight.

The victory for Inter Milan means Simone Inzaghi's side are two points behind AC Milan

The victory for Inter Milan means Simone Inzaghi’s side are two points behind AC Milan

Inter Milan have three games remaining as they look to beat their rivals to the Serie A title

Inter Milan have three games remaining as they look to beat their rivals to the Serie A title

‘It was a win that provided great proof of character and personality, against a team that in April was the most in-form after us,’ Inzaghi told DAZN.

‘We were up against a team in excellent condition with players of quality up front but they found an Inter who did not want to give up.

‘We needed to play an important match. There are nine points available now and everything is possible.’