MILAN, Italy – In a dramatic turn of events that has reverberated through Italian football, Udinese secured a remarkable 2-1 victory over Inter Milan at the iconic San Siro. This unexpected upset, particularly after Inter`s commanding 5-0 season-opening triumph against Torino, serves as a poignant reminder of Serie A`s perennial unpredictability and has cast an early spotlight on some concerning vulnerabilities within the Nerazzurri squad.
Arthur Atta of Udinese celebrates his decisive goal against Inter Milan, sealing a memorable upset at San Siro.
Inter`s Fleeting Lead: Dumfries` Heroic and Unfortunate Contributions
The match commenced with Inter establishing a familiar, almost routine, dominance. It took a mere 17 minutes for them to break the deadlock, a goal meticulously crafted with their characteristic attacking prowess. Lautaro Martinez, often lauded as “El Toro,” initiated the offensive with a deceptive feint at midfield, leaving Udinese`s Kristensen flummoxed. He then released Thuram, who surged forward, executed a neat one-two with Dimarco, and precisely threaded the ball into space for Denzel Dumfries.
Dumfries, momentarily escaping the scrutiny of Udinese`s Solet – a defender reportedly on Inter`s radar – calmly slotted home his first league goal of the season. The early signs pointed towards an Inter procession; however, fate, with a dash of irony, had other plans for the Dutch wing-back.
Just twelve minutes later, in the 29th minute, a VAR review confirmed a clear penalty against Dumfries for an outstretched arm. Davis stepped up with clinical precision, wrong-footing Sommer to restore parity and bring Udinese firmly back into contention. From scoring the opener to conceding the equalizer, Dumfries` first-half performance offered a curious microcosm of Inter`s fluctuating fortunes on the day.
Atta`s `Chapeau` Performance: A Star is Born at San Siro
The true turning point, however, arrived in the 40th minute, delivered with conviction by the boot of a burgeoning talent from Rennes: Arthur Atta. This “golden nugget” of Udinese, whose hometown is also celebrated for its cultural heritage encompassing Botticelli and Renoir masterpieces, added his own striking artwork to the San Siro canvas. Receiving the ball at the edge of the box, Atta unleashed a precise right-footed shot that nestled perfectly into the bottom corner.
Inter`s Bisseck, rather than challenging the shot, retreated, affording Atta the crucial space and time to inflict maximum damage. It was a goal that not only encapsulated Atta`s composure and skill but also marked a moment that will undoubtedly be etched into the early narrative of the Serie A season.
Post-match analyses further solidified Atta`s rising status. Operating as a left-sided attacking midfielder with a license to roam, he commanded the midfield with an authority that belied his relatively nascent experience. His performance was a compelling blend of relentless sprints, individual dribbles, intricate maneuvers in tight spaces, and an almost “Zen-like calm” under pressure. Udinese`s shrewd decision to secure his permanent transfer in the summer, following a probationary period, already appears to be a masterstroke. His debut Serie A goal, a beautifully curled effort, was indeed “museum-worthy,” as fittingly described by the Italian press.
Inter`s Defensive Conundrum and Chivu`s Mounting Challenge
The San Siro faithful departed with a palpable sense of disorientation, having witnessed two starkly different Inter performances within a single week. The vibrant, attacking force that effortlessly dismantled Torino was replaced by a more hesitant, vulnerable unit. While Thuram offered glimpses of his quality with an assist (and a subsequently disallowed goal for offside) and Barella maintained his customary dynamism, other key players, particularly in defense, appeared to struggle for cohesion.
The defensive line, frequently identified as Inter`s Achilles` heel and notably the sole area not significantly reinforced during the transfer window, once again proved porous. Bisseck, preferred over Pavard by coach Chivu, found himself in the unenviable position of a scapegoat after his passive defending directly contributed to Atta`s decisive winner. Udinese`s physical play and incisive counter-attacks repeatedly exploited vulnerabilities that Chivu will now need to address with utmost urgency during the forthcoming international break.
In the second half, Chivu attempted to inject fresh impetus, transitioning to his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation and introducing Esposito for his Serie A debut. While Esposito displayed flashes of promise, Inter`s desperate late assault, which included throwing on Bonny in a last-ditch 4-2-4 formation, yielded only “small shivers” of potential, but ultimately no equalizer.
Udinese`s Resilience and Solet`s Redemption Arc
Beyond Atta`s individual heroics, Udinese`s collective resilience and tactical discipline were truly commendable. Solet, despite an early misstep on Inter`s opening goal, showcased an impressive recovery, executing three crucial defensive clearances in the second half, denying both Barella and Thuram with vital interceptions. His astute ability to read the game and adapt will undoubtedly keep him firmly on Inter`s scouting radar for future considerations.
This hard-fought victory propels Udinese into a more confident position early in the season, while for Inter, it represents a significant and potentially deflating early setback. With perennial contenders like Juventus, Napoli, and Roma now holding a three-point advantage, the pressure is already mounting on Chivu and his squad to find immediate consistency and decisively shore up their defensive frailties. The Serie A season, still in its nascent stages, promises a multitude of twists and turns, but Udinese`s stunning triumph at San Siro will undeniably be remembered as one of its early, defining moments.
