In three seasons at Inter, out of six Italian cup tournaments, Simone Inzaghi lost only one. On December 20, 2023, they were eliminated at home by Bologna in the 1/8 finals of the Cup. Almost a year after this, the same stage of the same tournament at the same stadium awaits. True, the opponent is not so serious. However, Udinese can also create problems.
Italian Cup. 1/8 finals
December 19. 22:00. Milan. “Giuseppe Meazza”
“Inter” – “Udinese”
Referee: Luca Massimi
Command status
Judging by the last match, no one can create problems for Inzaghi’s team. Lazio were demolished 6-0 in Rome on Monday in true formidable champion style. Six different players also scored. The first half hour was not easy, even without shots on goal, but then the Milanese giants got going and scored goals for every taste.
In general, in the last 15 matches in all tournaments, the Nerazzurri have 12 wins, two draws and only one defeat. They look very strong. Capable of tearing apart any opponent in any match and getting a solid, quiet victory against anyone in any match and tormenting anyone in any match, if necessary.
However, problems arise. The penultimate match was just lost to Bayer, away in the Champions League, causing a lot of criticism. And at home, Inter won with a difference of more than one goal in all tournaments since October 1 (that is, in the last seven matches) only once – 3:1 over Serie A newcomer Parma in the last one. So it’s not always loud.
He is also concerned about personnel problems. The usual form in the 1/8 finals of the Cup is also worrying. In the four previous seasons he had to play extra time at this stage. Including at home against Empoli and Parma, teams of lower status than Udinese. And seven years ago he got past Pordenone from Serie C at this stage only in a penalty shootout.
Are the Friulans capable of causing such problems? Judging by their current form, it’s unlikely. A win, a draw and five defeats in the last seven matches is a painful fall for a team that led Serie A after a later round than Inter’s fourth. But she can still remember the recent past. And now still in the Top 10 of the league.
Udinese won its only victory in the last seven matches in the previous away match – in Monza. Where Inter didn’t win. And in the previous one, on any field, he led the score against Napoli at home after the first half – 1:0 – and only in the second half did he let the opponent go, allowing him to score three goals. And recently we had a close fight with Atalanta on the road – 1:2.
With Kosta Runjaic, Udinese is trying to switch to more active football and not sit back in defense. But this does not always work out. On the other hand, Inter does not always manage to properly capitalize on their huge advantage in possession, especially at home. A lot will depend on the early goal here. If he is not there, a sticky struggle may begin.
Latest team matches
Personnel
Inzaghi is keen to make a rotation. Even where there are problems with this – in defense. Defenders Pavard and Acerbi are still injured, Dimarco’s lateral was injured, and Nicolo Barella has a new injury. Tejon Buchanan may make his starting debut on the flank, the entire center of the field and the entire center of attack – Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Lautaro, Thuram – can be replaced.
It is possible that second goalkeeper Martinez will make his debut, replacing Sommer.
Udinese has problems in the midfield. Zarraga, Payero and Lovric are injured. First goalkeeper Okoye did not return. In general, Runjaich promises not to rotate too much. Attention should be paid to the changes in the attack – the striking tandem of Lucca and Thauvin, the author of 12 goals together this season in all tournaments, may give way to Brenner and Bravo, the authors of three.
Alexis Sanchez, the former Inter player, is finally healthy. Although not ready for the starting lineup. But it can take 20-30 minutes.
“Inter”: H. Martinez, Darmian, De Frey, A. Bastoni, Buchanan, Asllani, Frattesi, Zelinski, Augusto, Taremi, Correa
“Udinese”: Sava, T. Christensen, Giannetti, Biyol, Kabasele, Eckelenkamp, Abankwa, Atta, H. Camara, Bravo, Brenner
Figures and facts
- Inter have won their last four head-to-head matches on all fields in all competitions and seven of their last eight, with one defeat. The last two matches took place in Udine and ended with results 2:1 and 3:2
- Inter have won their last six home head-to-head matches in all competitions and eight of their last nine, with one defeat. He won the last four such matches with a difference of more than one goal – 5:1, 2:0, 3:1, 4:0
- Inter have scored against Udinese in their last eight matches on all pitches in all competitions, and Udinese have scored against Inter in five of their last six. In general, at least three goals were scored in the last six head-to-head matches
- Inter begins this season’s Cup competition at the 1/8 final stage. Udinese have already passed two stages, defeating Avellino (4:0) and Salernitana (3:1) from the lower divisions
- Inter was eliminated in the 1/8 finals of the Cup the previous season, but before that they won the tournament in two seasons in a row. Udinese have not been to the quarter-finals of the competition since the 2013/14 season. It was in that season that the last head-to-head match in the Cup between the teams took place. Udinese won it at home – 1:0
- Of Udinese’s last ten defeats in the Cup since 2014, one was by a defeat in normal time, four by one goal in normal time, four by one goal in extra time and one in penalty shootout
- In the last four seasons in the Cup, Inter were forced to play extra time at the round of 16 stage. Three times he won in overtime, once he lost
- In the last 11 seasons at the round of 16 stages of the Cup, Inter were eliminated once in normal time, eliminated once in extra time, won once in a penalty shootout and won four times in extra time.
- Inter have won 12 of their last 15 matches in all competitions, with two draws and one defeat. Udinese have won one of their last seven with one draw and five defeats, four of their last 13 with one draw and eight defeats
- Since October 2023, Inter have lost at the Giuseppe Meazza only twice in all competitions – to Milan in the league in September 2024 and to Bologna in the 1/8 finals of the Cup in December 2023
- Udinese have conceded in the last seven matches in all competitions on all fields and in the last eight away games, Inter have conceded in three of the last nine on all fields and in two of five at home
Prediction: Inter – Udinese 3:1
Since October 1, Inter have not defeated anyone in any tournament at home, and Udinese have not lost their last two away matches at all. The Friulans also play well and tightly against the giants. So it could be a tight match. As always lately, the Milanese are in the 1/8 finals of the Cup. But it is still clear that they are the favorites. Although they may miss it.
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