Lautaro Martinez scores twice as Inter Milan see off Udinese

Inter Milan bounced back from derby despair as Lautaro Martinez ended his goal drought in an entertaining 3-2 league win at Udinese.

Martinez – Serie A’s top scorer last season with 24 goals – was on target for the first time this campaign, with his double adding to Davide Frattesi’s composed finish inside the opening minute.

Christian Kabasele equalised for Udinese before Martinez struck either side of half-time and Lorenzo Lucca ensured some late anxiety for the Italian champions.

But Inter held on to collect three valuable points and banish memories of last weekend’s home defeat to city rivals AC Milan.

Udinese’s Alexis Sanchez missed out against his former club because of a groin injury, while the hosts were also without Martin Payero and Lautaro Giannetti.

Influential midfielder Nicolo Barella was absent for Inter, but his replacement Frattesi was on the scoresheet after only 43 seconds.

Matteo Darmian slid a ball down the side of the Udinese defence and Frattesi’s positive run was rewarded with a first goal of the season.

Inter were energised by that fast start and Alessandro Bastoni saw his header saved by Maduka Okoye before Frattesi and Marcus Thuram went close to extending the visitors’ lead.

Frattesi threatened again but Udinese equalised out of the blue having been very much second best for the opening 35 minutes.

Jordan Zemura swing over a left-footed cross that Kabasele met with a lovely flicked header for his second goal in Udinese colours.

Darmian advanced to send a shot wide in response, and Inter regained the lead their slick play had deserved with the final attack of the first period.

Udinese were guilty of conceding possession in their defensive third, and Federico Dimarco’s cross struck a home defender before ricocheting off Martinez and rolling over the line.

The Argentina striker had scored only once in his previous 17 Inter appearances and the goal – however scruffy – appeared to lift a weight from his shoulders.

Thuram broke behind the Udinese defence within two minutes of the restart, squaring for Martinez to find the bottom corner of Okoye’s net from the edge of the area with a drilled effort.

Yann Sommer denied Kabasele a second with a low save to his right, but Inter remained on top and continued to carve out the better chances.

Hakan Çalhanoglu and Frattesi had efforts blocked before Okoye prevented Martinez from completing his hat-trick and claiming the match ball.

Udinese set up a grandstand finish as Lucca broke on to Brenner’s pass seven minutes from time and slotted home calmly.

Inter’s win takes them above Udinese, who have now suffered back-to-back league defeats after an encouraging start to the campaign.

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