Final score

11 September 2010 18:00

Inter
22' (2nd half) Eto'o
6' Lucio
Udinese
31' Floro Flores
Referee: Christian Brighi / Linesmen: Giordano, Ghiandai / Fourth official: Bergonzi
Watch highlights
Minute Text commentary
45' Half time. Inter 1-1 Udinese.
45' Sanchez fires a crisp shot straight at Julio Cesar.
43' Sneijder picks out Milito in the box and floats over to the Argentine but Benatia is first to the ball.
41' Sneijder goes directly for goal with an inswinging left-wing free kick. Just wide.
38' Di Natale creates space for a shot from the edge of our area. It's straight at JC.
34' Pinzi for a foul on Sneijder.
33' Another good chance as Samuel heads narrowly wide from the ensuing corner.
32' Inter close to retaking the lead within a minute. Milito controls and whacks a low shot to the far post, where Handanovic palms it round.
31' GOAL. Udinese level things up as Floro Flores rises on the edge of the six-yard box to nod home Sanchez's cross from the right. INTER 1-1 UDINESE.
29' Ex-Inter full-back Pasquale makes a headed clearance to stop Biabiany from meeting Eto'o's long left-wing cross.
25' Sanchez floats in a cross from the right. Straight into the arms of Julio Cesar.
22' Biabiany crashes a 20-yard effort wide of the target.
21' This isn't the only Inter-Udinese today. Our senior youth team, Inter Primavera, won 2-1 away to the Bianconeri's Under-19 side in their opening game of the regular season this afternoon. Dell'Agnello and Longo scored for Fulvio Pea's Nerazzurri.
19' Sanchez has a go from a tight angle on the righ. The Chilean's whipped volley is wide of Julio Cesar's left-hand post.
16' Sneijder one-twos with Milito but can't get past the last defender.
15' Easy does it. Samuel cuts out Sanchez's short pass for Di Natale and lets Mariga bring the ball calmly out of defence.
13' Floro Flores gets a verbal warning for a hard challenge on Lucio. No yellow card though.
12' Sneijder touches short to Eto'o and the Cameroonian shoots. Way off target.
10' Good chance for Udinese as Sanchez crosses low to Di Natale, but the Italy forward fluffs his back-heel.
10' Zanetti for obstructing Floro Flores. A bit harsh really.
8' From attack to defence, Lucio sweeps to safety as Udinese try to muster a quick reaction.
6' GOAL!!!!!! Handanovic spills Sneijder's left-wing corner and the ball falls to the unmarked Lucio, who picks his spot and rams home. Easy. INTER 1-0 UDINESE.
6' Mariga's grasscutter from the edge of the box takes a deflection on its way out for a corner.
4' Sanchez races down the Udinese right and enters the box but can't get past Chivu. Samuel cleans up.
3' Free kick on the Inter left. Sneijder crosses, Floro Flores heads away.
2' Sneijder combines well with Milito and Eto'o on the left and gets a shot in from the angle of the box. Bianconeri defender Benatia blocks.
1' Our Italian Super Cup triumph over Roma last month seems like a distant memory. We have since played the European Super Cup against Atletico Madrid in Monte Carlo and away to Bologna in Serie A Week 1. Here we go then with our first home outing of the domestic league campaign and today's opponents are Udinese, the Bianconeri from Friuli who haven't taken all three points off the Nerazzurri since 2004.
1' Udinese get us under way at the Meazza. FORZA INTER!!!
1' The backdrop to the Inter bench today is dedicated to our club's humanitarian programme Inter Campus.
1' Inter's treble trophies are glimmering in the September sunshine down on the touchline as we await the arrival of the players. Up in the Curva Nord, a banner reads: SEASON 2009/10: VOTE 10. THANK YOU F.C. INTERNAZIONALE. The Curva unveils another banner to the tune of: RAFA, WORK CALMLY AND LET THEM TALK. WE ARE WITH YOU AND THIS TEAM THAT HAS MADE US DREAM.
1' LINEUPS: <br> Inter: 1 Julio Cesar; 4 Zanetti, 6 Lucio, 25 Samuel, 26 Chivu; 17 Mariga, 19 Cambiasso; 88 Biabiany, 10 Sneijder, 9 Eto'o; 22 Milito.&#8232;<br>Subs: 12 Castellazzi, 2 Cordoba, 11 Muntari, 23 Materazzi, 27 Pandev, 29 Coutinho, 39 Santon.<br> Udinese: 1 Handanovic; 2 Zapata, 11 Domizzi, 17 Benatia; 66 Pinzi, 20 Asamoah, 88 Inler, 26 Pasquale; 7 Sanchez, 10 Di Natale, 83 Floro Flores.<br>&#8232;Subs: 6 Belardi, 4 Cuadrado, 9 Corradi, 19 Badu, 21 Vyndra, 23 Abdi, 45 Angella.
1' Rafael Benitez mixes youth and experience in his starting lineup to face Udinese. Despite his return to full training Maicon has been rested as a precaution, and Stankovic misses out after sustaining a hamstring strain. Zanetti starts at right-back for the second game in a row, Mariga occupies a holding midfield role alongside Cambiassso, while Biabiany earns his first start on the right wing with Pandev dropping to the bench, which includes the likes of Coutinho and Santon.
Minute Text commentary
52' That's your lot. Inter beat Udinese 2-1 and we're back on the winning track. See you on Tuesday when we open our defence of the Champions League away to Dutch outfit Twente.
52' Brighi adds on an extra minute and Muntari goes through on goal with a chance to make it 3-1, but his shot is straight at Handanovic.
51' Into the last minute and Udinese are awarded a long-range free kick. The Meazza roars as Di Natale's floated cross to the back post is saved by Julio Cesar.
49' With several players lurking in our box, Julio Cesar makes a vital punched clearance from Asamoah's left-wing cross.
45' Six minutes added on.
45' Mariga fires wide as Udinese fail to clear after a storming run down the right by captain Zanetti, who is wearing a special armband dedicated to Giacinto Facchetti to mark the fourth anniversary of his passing.
44' Cuadrado for a foul on Eto'o.
41' Corradi delivers a low cross to the feet of Di Natale, who shoots wide from close range.
39' Guillerme Cuadrado for El Mouttaqui Benatia.
37' Almost! Samuel Eto'o turns Angella just outside the Udinese box and curls a splendid right-foot shot on to the post. What a goal that would have been.
36' Sulley Muntari for Diego Milito. Nine minutes then for the Ghanaian against his former team.
34' Inter launch a fast counter-attack and Milito fires an angled shot wide of the far post after meeting a great pass from Sneijder.
34' Di Natale sends in a dangerous cross for Corrado. Julio Cesar spots the danger and makes a magnificent interception.
33' Chance for Udinese. Angella's header from Di Natale falls to Zapata, but the Colombian can't get the winning touch at the back post.
27' Udinese win a free kick about 25 yards from goal after a Mariga foul on Asamoah. Di Natale's effort is blocked by Lucio in the Inter wall. The lanky Brazilian requires medical attention after that ball in the face.
26' Handanovic smothers the ball to deny Zanetti a chance from Sneijder's through ball.
24' Di Natale for protesting after a foul by Domizzi on Cordoba.
22' GOOOAAAALLLLL!!!!!! Handanovic parries Samuel Eto'o's penalty but the Cameroonian tucks home the rebound and we're back in front in Milan. INTER 2-1 UDINESE.
21' PENALTY. Angella handles Sneijder's pass and Brighi points to the spot.
18' Bernardo Corradi for Antonio Floro Flores.
18' Goran Pandev for Jonathan Biabiany. It's the Macedonian's 200th appearance in Serie A.
16' Domizzi appears to handle the ball when intercepting Sneijder. Ref Brighi adjudges it to be involuntary.
14' Gabriele Angella for Giovanni Pasquale.
13' Free kick to Inter on the left. Sneijder's inswinger is headed away by Floro Flores. Another chance comes our way moments later as Sneijder passes short to Mariga, who pokes at Handanovic from close range.
11' Another scare for the Nerazzurri. Sanchez powers past Cambiasso, Zanetti and Samuel before laying off to Floro Flores, who blazes wide with the goal gaping.
10' Ivan Cordoba for Cristian Chivu.
7' Inter pour forward on the break and Eto'o goes down in the area after being brought down by Zapata. Eto'o is booked for diving. Inexplicable.
7' Danger in the Inter box as Sanchez crosses low to Floro Flores. Lucio makes the crucial tackle.
6' Sneijder receives from Cambiasso in a central position about 25 yards from goal and bends his shot high over the bar.
3' JC races out of his box to intercept a long pass for Di Natale.
1' Udinese captain Di Natale darts past Chivu in the area and rifles a low shot at Julio Cesar.
1' Inter kick off the second half. FORZA RAGAZZI!!!
Zanetti
7.29
7.29
Cordoba
5.89
5.89
Cambiasso
6.32
6.32
Julio Cesar
7.19
7.19
Samuel
6.87
6.87
Biabiany
5.57
5.57
Chivu
5.32
5.32
Muntari
5.72
5.72
Milito
4.97
4.97
Lucio
7.61
7.61
Eto'o
8.34
8.34
Sneijder
7.18
7.18
Pandev
5.87
5.87
Mariga
5.64
5.64
Average rating 6.41
6 shots on target 4
8 shots off target 7
15 fouls committed 21
6 corners 3
1 offsides 2
33:11 ball possession 26:33
Benitez v Guidolin

The two coaches meet in a competitive fixture for the first time.

Benitez v Udinese

Rafa Benitez faces Udinese for the first time in his coaching career.

Guidolin v Inter

Francesco Guidolin encounters Inter for the 26th time after 4 wins, 6 draws and 15 defeats. His last victory over the Nerazzurri was on 10 February 2002 (Bologna 2-1 Inter in Serie A).

Pandev on a double century

If selected to play against Udinese, Goran Pandev will make his 200th appearance in Italy's Serie A. The Macedonian forward made his top-fight debut in Ancona 0-0 Siena on 2 November 2003. Besides Inter and Ancona, he has also played Serie A football for Lazio.

Inter unbeaten in 46 home games

The Nerazzurri are unbeaten at home since their 1-0 Champions League defeat to Panathinaikos on 26 November 2008, having won 35 and drawn 11 of their successive 46 games at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
In national competitions (Serie A, Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup), Inter haven't lost at home in 50 games, winning 38 and drawing 12 since their 2-1 league defeat to Juventus on 22 March 2008.
That loss against Juve was also Inter's last home defeat in Serie A (31 wins and 10 draws from their successive 41 league games).

Chivu & goals against Udinese

Cristian Chivu has scored more goals against Udinese than any other Italian team. The Romanian defender has scored 7 times in Italian football, netting twice against the Bianconeri.

Happy Birthday, Dejan

Dejan Stankovic celebrates his 32nd birthday today. The Serbian midfielder was born in Belgrade on 11 September 1978.

No Udinese win against Inter since 2004

Udinese last beat Inter on 15 February 2004 (1-2 at San Siro). In the successive 14 meetings between the two clubs, there have been 6 draws and 8 Udinese defeats (including 4 out of last 4 games).

Di Natale set for milestone appearance

By appearing against Inter, Antonio Di Natale will tie Morgan De Sanctis for second-most appearances for Udinese (194). Way out in front is Bertotto with 323 appearances. Di Natale is already Udinese's all time top scorer in Serie A with 84 goals.

Guidolin & points in September

September is a good month for Udinese boss Francesco Guidolin, according to the statistics. His points per game average in the ninth calendar month is 1.77 (27 wins, 13 draws and 13 defeats from 53 games).

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(31) draws(11) defeats(10)

MILAN - Lucio and Samuel Eto'o scored either side of the break as Inter beat Udinese 2-1 in our first home game of the 2010/11 Serie A championship.

The Italian and European champions were quick off the blocks and Lucio put us in front in the sixth minute, lashing home in an unmarked position on the right after Handanovic's loose clearance from Sneijder's corner kick.

The visitors were back on level footing just past the half-hour mark when Antonio Floro Flores rose above the defence on the edge of the six-yard box to head home a Sanchez cross.

Inter had a penalty claim turned down early in the second half when Eto'o was inexplicably cautioned for diving after being brought down in the box by Zapata, but when Udinese sub Angella blatantly handled Sneijder's pass in the 66th minute, Brighi had no option but to point to the spot.

Eto'o stepped up and saw his initial shot parried away by Handanovic, before coolly tucking home the rebound.

The Cameroon ace could have made it 3-1 in the closing stages but his magnificent 20-yard curling shot bounced back off the post.

Inter 2-1 Udinese (HT: 1-1)

Scorers: Lucio 6, Floro Flores 31, Eto'o 67.

Inter: 1 Julio Cesar; 4 Zanetti, 6 Lucio, 25 Samuel, 26 Chivu (2 Cordoba 55); 17 Mariga, 19 Cambiasso; 88 Biabiany (27 Pandev 63), 10 Sneijder, 9 Eto'o; 22 Milito (11 Muntari 81).

Subs not used: 12 Castellazzi, 23 Materazzi, 29 Coutinho, 39 Santon.
Coach
: Rafael Benitez.

Udinese: 1 Handanovic; 2 Zapata, 11 Domizzi, 17 Benatia (4 Cuadrado 84); 66 Pinzi, 20 Asamoah, 88 Inler, 26 Pasquale (45 Angella 59); 7 Sanchez, 10 Di Natale, 83 Floro Flores (9 Corradi 63).
Subs not used: 6 Belardi, 19 Badu, 21 Vyndra, 23 Abdi.

Coach
: Francesco Guidolin.

Referee: Christian Brighi (Cesena).

Booked: Zanetti 10, Pinzi 34, Eto'o 52, Di Natale 69, Cuadrado 89.

Att.: 62,014.

starting lineups

Julio Cesar 1 Handonovic
Zanetti 4 Zapata
Lucio 6 Domizzi
Samuel 25 Benatia
Chivu 26 Pinzi
Mariga 17 Asamoah
Cambiasso 19 Inler
Biabiany 88 Pasquale
Sneijder 10 Sanchez
Eto'o 9 Di Natale
Milito 22 Floro Flores

substitutes

Castellazzi 12 Belardi
Cordoba 2 Cuadrado
Muntari 11 Corradi
Materazzi 23 Badu
Pandev 27 Vydra
Coutinho 29 Abdi
Santon 39 Angella