Manzano – Stefano Vecchi's Inter won again and maintained their position at the top of the Primavera 1 TIM table. It was the best possible way to prepare for the #MilanDerby against AC Milan on Saturday 27th.
In the opening stages, the home side made most of the running down the left through Paoluzzi who created two nervous moments for the Nerazzurri defence early on. First, he brought a save from Dekic and then forced a last ditch block from Nolan. Colidio had a headed effort in the ninth minute that Gasparini chose to push away for a corner. It eventually led to the opening goal as Colidio fed Belkheir whose cross to the back post was controlled by Zaniolo who had enough time to control and fire across the keeper with his left foot. Udinese immediately tried to hit back but were caught by two Inter counter attacks, firstly with Colidio and then with Belkheir but neither player managed to get a shot away.
On 27 minutes, Gasparini was injured coming out to the feet of Zaniolo and Giacomin was forced to make his first change. Reserve goalkeeper Pizzignacco came on and was straight into the action to come and clear ahead of Colidio on the counter attack. After half an hour, Pizzignacco was called on again to save from Belkheir's close-range effort after Colidio had used his pace to break down the left and cross. 5 minutes later, the hosts had their best chance as Garmendia tested Dekic from 12 yards but Zappa was able to clear the rebound. The end of the first half saw Udinese again come close when Jaadi hit the bar but the sides went into the break with the score at 0-1.
The second half began with more pressure from Giacomin's boys as they chased an equaliser but this left space for the Nerazzurri to break leading to Vedova managing to get in a decisive tackle as Emmers broke away on 57'. The corner came to Nolan's head and his effort sailed just wide of the right-hand post. Inter doubled their lead on 65' when Rover, who had just come on, escaped down the right, shrugged off a challenge and squared to Emmers to convert from inside the six-yard box.
Going 2-0 down did not discourage the home side and they went close to a goal that would have put them right back in the contest. Paoluzzi shot powerfully right-footed and Dekic pushed it onto the bar before pouncing on the rebound. Colidio worked two good openings for a third in the closing minutes. First, he won the ball inside the Udinese half and played in Emmers but his shot was too close to the 'keeper and then he showed good control on the run to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper but Pizzignacco got a foot to the shot to deny the Argentine. Pizzignacco saved his team twice more with two brilliant saves from Rover; the second was especially impressive as he flew through the air to deny the Nerazzurri forward. Colidio eventually got his goal right at the end, converting after it was brilliantly laid on a plate by Rover once again. A tap in from two yards was all the Argentine needed to get his name on the score sheet.
The scored stayed at 3-0 until the final whistle as Inter made it win number 11 of the season and prepared for Saturday's Milan Derby in the best possible way.
UDINESE-INTER 0-3
Goalscorers: Zaniolo (13'), Emmers (65'), Colidio (90'+1)
UDINESE: 1 Gasparini (27' Pizzignacco 12); 5 Trevisan, 6 Vasko, 3 Ermacora; 2 Vedova, 4 Brunetti (51' Djoulou 19), 8 Samotti (89' Gkertsos), 7 Paoluzzi; 9 Varesanovic 10 Ruscio Garmendia; 11 Jaadi.
Substitutes: 13 Donadello, 14 Parpinel, 15 Odasso, 16 Battistella, 18 Siverio Perez, 20 Bocic, 21 Pacos Melo.
Coach: Giulio Giacomin
INTER: 1 Dekic; 2 Zappa, 4 Nolan, 6 Lombardoni, 3 Corrado; 8 Emmers, 7 Brignoli, 5 Schirò (88' Bettella 14); 10 Zaniolo (84' Gavioli 17); 9 Belkheir (45'+1 Rover 19), 11 Colidio.
Substitutes: 12 Tintori, 13 Valietti, 15 Sala, 16 Pompetti, 18 Visconti, 20 Adorante.
Coach: Stefano Vecchi
Added time: 2' - 3'
Bookings: Brignoli (45'+1), Schirò (63')
Referee: Zanonato (Vicenza)
Assistants: Elkhayr and Zampese
