UDINE – It was an impressive victory for the Nerazzurri over Udinese at the Stadio Friuli, as Inter bagged three goals through Palacio, Ranocchia and Alvarez.

But let’s start from the beginning and with coach Walter Mazzarri’s line-up choices. Samuel was back again after his return against Atalanta and anchored the defence together with Ranocchia and Juan Jesus in front of Handanovic in goal (the Slovenian recovered from his injury in Bergamo to play in his former stadium). It was a midfield of five players, with Jonathan and Nagatomo on the flanks and Taider, Cambiasso and Alvarez in the middle. In attack, Guarin played just behind Palacio. And on the bench was captain Zanetti, returning after the nasty injury he suffered to his Achilles tendon on 28 April in Palermo.

On the 20-minute mark, and after some lengthy possession play by Inter, Cambiasso nearly put his side on the scoreboard but was denied by a fantastic save from Brkic. Five minutes later Mazzarri’s team went ahead when Palacio snapped his header into the net from Taider’s free kick. Then on 29 minutes Ranocchia doubled the lead when Brkic failed to claim a corner that the defender confidently volleyed home. Unfortunately Samuel was forced to leave the pitch in the 38th minute just as his team was enjoying his return. The half ended with the Nerazzurri leading Udinese by two goals to nil.

Two minutes into the second half Di Natale gave Inter fans a fright when he blasted an effort on goal but was robbed by a sensational save from Handanovic. Then on 61 minutes Guarin was denied by the post. At this point Inter were looking more likely to score than the hosts but coach Mazzarri urged caution. A minute into injury time Alvarez added the third for the visitors after an inch-perfect assist from Palacio. The game thus ended with the Nerazzurri claiming an impressive away win over Udinese 3-0.

Udinese 0-3 Inter (HT: 0-2)
Scorers: Palacio 25, Ranocchia 29, Alvarez 90+1.

Udinese: 1 Brkic; 3 Allan, 4 Naldo, 5 Danilo, 7 Badu, 9 Muriel (Nico Lopez 70), 10 Di Natale (Ranegie 57), 11 Domizzi, 27 Widmer, 34 Gabriel Silva, 37 Pereyra (Bruno Fernandez 57).
Unused subs: 30 Kelava, 99 Benussi, 6 Bubnjic, 14 Milnar, 18 Jadson, 21 Lazzari, 55 Merkel, 75 Heurtaux, 94 Zielinski.
Coach: Francesco Guidolin.

Inter: 1 Handanovic;  23 Ranocchia (Andreolli 81), 25 Samuel (Rolando 38), 5 Juan Jesus; 2 Jonathan (Pereira 68), 21 Taider, 19 Cambiasso, 11 Alvarez, 55 Nagatomo; 13 Guarin; 8 Palacio.
Unused subs: 30 Carrizo, 12 Castellazzi, 4 Zanetti, 10 Kovacic, 16 Mudingayi, 17 Kuzmanovic, 18 Wallace, 28 Puscas.
Coach: Walter Mazzarri.

Referee: Massa.
Booked: Ranocchia 74, Pereira 76, Juan Jesus 90.
Added time: 2 + 5 minutes.

starting lineups

substitutes