Inter escape the Dacia Arena against Udinese with a crucial 2-1 victory, with goals in the first half from Perisic and Martinez giving the Nerazzurri just enough of an advantage to see out the match.
Inzaghi’s side looked cruising for the first 70 minutes, but a Pussetto goal following a Deulofeu free-kick halved the deficit and created a nervy atmosphere in the closing stages.
Vidal managed to put the ball in the back of the net with less than a quarter-hour remaining in the match.
But a careless offside prevented the visitors from reclaiming a two-goal advantage.
It ultimately proved inconsequential as the Friulani failed to find the all-important equaliser.
Still, Cioffi should be pleased with how his side responded in the final 20 minutes after a somewhat sluggish start to the fixture.
The win keeps Inter two points back of Milan with three games, while the loss keeps Udinese in the 12th.
Starting lineup:
UDINESE XI (3-5-2-): Marco Silvestri; Nehuen Perez, Pablo Mari, Rodrigo Becao; Destiny Udogie, Roberto Pereyra, Walace, Tolgay Arslan, Nahuel Molina; Gerard Deulofeu, Isaac Success.
INTER XI (3-5-2): Samir Handanovic; Milan Skriniar, Stefan De Vrij, Federico Dimarco; Matteo Darmian, Nicolo Barella, Marcelo Brozovic, Roberto Gagliardini, Ivan Perisic; Lautaro Martinez, Edin Dzeko.
Goals:
INTER TAKE THE LEAD! 1-0! Dimarco swings a corner towards the edge of the six-yard box for Perisic, who leaps and tucks his header high into the top corner – beating the goalkeeper at his near post!
MARTINEZ FINISHES ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT! 2-0! The striker sends his penalty off the base of the post, and it comes back towards the Inter forward after taking a deflection off Silvestri, presenting him with a chance to tuck home the rebound neatly!
UDINESE GET BACK INTO THE MATCH! 2-1! Deulofeu steps up and takes a fantastic free-kick, forcing Handanovic to dive across his line to make a one-handed stop. The rebound falls to Udogie, who immediately puts a pass across the face of the goal for Pussetto, who tucks home the easy finish!
So, what’s next?
Udinese is back in action on Saturday away against Sassuolo.
Meanwhile, Inter will continue to chase the Scudetto on Saturday when they host Empoli.
