Inter's Dramatic 5-3 Serie A Comeback Against Udinese

Inter Milan achieved a second consecutive Serie A win after trailing by two goals, defeating Udinese 5-3 in a chaotic match at San Siro. This followed their 3-2 comeback against Napoli and a 2-1 Champions League loss to Real Madrid, marked by individual errors.

Manager Cristian Chivu made changes, starting John Stones for his league debut and resting Lautaro Martinez, Yann Bisseck, and Hakan Calhanoglu. Federico Dimarco was not fully fit, and Djed Spence was injured. Udinese faced an injury crisis, missing several players including Oumar Solet, Nicolò Zaniolo, Juan Arizala, Matteo Palma, and Jakub Piotrowski, who underwent surgery for cardiac arrhythmia.

Udinese surprisingly took an early lead. James Abankwah headed in a cross from Unai Gomez from close range, marking his first Serie A goal. Marcus Thuram had a chance, but Maduka Okoye saved his header and the follow-up.

Inter appeared sluggish. Keinan Davis advanced down the left and passed to Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, who scored at the near post. Thuram’s penalty appeals were denied, leading to assistant manager Aleksandar Kolarov's dismissal for arguing.

Inter pulled one back when Carlos Augusto struck a powerful shot from outside the box, similar to his recent goal against Real Madrid.

The two-goal deficit vanished quickly. After Hassane Kamara lost possession, Niccolò Barella recovered from a stumble to fire in an angled shot, leveling the score.

Barella almost gave Inter the lead before halftime, but Okoye saved his acrobatic attempt. Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s shot was blocked.

In the second half, Okoye denied Mkhitaryan. Hassane Kamara was caught out as Andy Diouf fed Barella, who crossed for Thuram to finish from close range. Inter now led 3-2, mirroring their comeback against Napoli.

John Stones was substituted due to injury. Inter extended their lead to 4-2 through a passing sequence that ended with Francesco Pio Esposito scoring from 12 yards after receiving a pass from Curtis Jones and Piotr Zielinski.

Federico Dimarco, returning from injury, was involved in the fifth goal. A team move involving Dimarco, Esposito, and Diouf set up Ange-Yoan Bonny, who scored after his initial shot was saved.

Aleksandar Stankovic’s free kick deflected and hit the post.

In stoppage time, Udinese scored a consolation goal. Vakoun Bayo controlled a cross and set up Idrissa Gueye to slide in at the back post.

Final Score: Inter 5-3 Udinese

Goals:

• Abankwah 9' (U)
• Ekkelenkamp 16' (U)
• Carlos Augusto 26' (I)
• Barella 35' (I)
• Thuram 57' (I)
• Pio Esposito 67' (I)
• Bonny 79' (I)
• Gueye 91' (U)