Inter Milan's 5-3 comeback win over Udinese keeps Serie A title defence on track
Synopsis
Inter Milan were seconds from an embarrassing capitulation at San Siro — two goals down inside 16 minutes against Udinese. What followed was a five-goal blitz that kept their Serie A title defence flawless. With Roma next, this wasn't just a comeback; it was a statement.
Key Takeaways
Inter Milan beat Udinese 5-3 at San Siro on 15 September 2026 after trailing 2-0 .
Scorers for Inter: Carlos Augusto , Barella , Thuram , Pio Esposito , and Bonny ; Gueye scored a late consolation for Udinese.
Inter remain joint top of Serie A with maximum points alongside Roma .
Coach Cristian Chivu praised the team's 'mentality and pride' while admitting the opening 25 minutes lacked energy.
Legends Giuseppe Bergomi and Lothar Matthaus were honoured on the Meazza pitch before kick-off by president Giuseppe Marotta .
Inter's next match is against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico — a direct top-of-table clash.
Inter Milan mounted a breathtaking comeback at San Siro on 15 September 2026, overturning a 2-0 deficit to defeat Udinese 5-3 and maintain a perfect start to their Serie A title defence. Goals from Carlos Augusto, Nicolò Barella, Marcus Thuram, Pio Esposito, and Bonny sealed a result that underlined the Nerazzurri's depth and resilience, even when their early-game composure deserted them.
How the match unfolded
Udinese stunned the home crowd with a rapid opening, racing into a 2-0 lead inside the first 16 minutes. Inter were disjointed and, by their own coach's admission, careless in the opening quarter-hour. The turnaround began before half-time: Carlos Augusto struck with a superb left-footed effort, then Barella applied a composed right-footed finish from a tight angle to draw the teams level.
The second half belonged entirely to Inter. Thuram completed the comeback before Pio Esposito capped a flowing team move to make it 4-2. Bonny added a fifth, and although Gueye pulled one back for Udinese late on, the final scoreline of 5-3 reflected Inter's ultimate dominance.
Chivu's verdict on a flawed-but-spirited showing
Inter coach Cristian Chivu acknowledged the rocky start but drew encouragement from the manner of the response. 'We lacked energy in the opening 25 minutes, while Udinese did well to punish our carelessness, but we responded. I was pleased with the mentality and pride we showed,' Chivu said.
He was candid about ongoing work needed, adding: 'We are not perfect and do not claim to be. We know we need to keep working because the season is long and there are still many areas in which we can improve.' The coach's emphasis on team identity — rather than individual brilliance — points to a systematic approach that he expects to sustain Inter through a demanding calendar.
Legends honoured before kick-off
The occasion carried extra weight beyond the three points. Ahead of kick-off, club president and CEO Giuseppe Marotta honoured two of Inter's greatest servants — Giuseppe Bergomi and Lothar Matthaus — on the Meazza pitch, recognising their extraordinary careers in Nerazzurri colours. The ceremony added a ceremonial significance to an already charged evening at San Siro.
Serie A table and what comes next
The victory keeps Inter joint top of the Serie A table on maximum points, level with Roma — who happen to be their next opponents. That showdown at the Stadio Olimpico will be a direct clash for outright leadership and represents the first genuine litmus test of Inter's title credentials this season. A win there would send a commanding message to the rest of Serie A about the Italian champions' ambitions.
Point of View
And Chivu's own admission of carelessness suggests structural vulnerabilities that a sharper opponent could exploit. Yet the capacity to overturn a two-goal deficit and finish with five speaks to squad depth that most Serie A rivals simply do not have. The real question this result raises is not whether Inter can win ugly — clearly they can — but whether the system Chivu is building can hold its shape against Roma, whose tactical discipline will be a sterner examination than Udinese's fast press. If Inter win at the Stadio Olimpico too, the title race may effectively be settled before October.
NationPress
15 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between Inter Milan and Udinese in Serie A?
Inter Milan beat Udinese 5-3 at San Siro on 15 September 2026. Inter came from 2-0 down, with goals from Carlos Augusto, Barella, Thuram, Pio Esposito and Bonny sealing the result.
Who scored for Inter Milan against Udinese?
The five Inter goals were shared among Carlos Augusto (left-footed strike), Nicolò Barella (right-footed finish from a tight angle), Marcus Thuram, Pio Esposito and Bonny. Gueye scored a late consolation for Udinese.
Where do Inter Milan stand in the Serie A table after this win?
Inter are joint top of the Serie A table with maximum points alongside Roma. Their next match is a direct top-of-table clash against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.
What did Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu say after the match?
Chivu praised his team's 'mentality and pride' in the comeback but admitted they 'lacked energy in the opening 25 minutes' and that Udinese 'did well to punish our carelessness.' He stressed that the squad must keep working as the season is long.
Which Inter Milan legends were honoured before the Udinese match?
Giuseppe Bergomi and Lothar Matthaus were honoured on the Meazza pitch before kick-off by Inter president and CEO Giuseppe Marotta, in recognition of their extraordinary careers in Nerazzurri colours.
