With seven games left in the season, Tuesday’s (AEST) victory was Inter’s 25th consecutive match without defeat in a seemingly inexorable march towards a 20th Serie A title.
The champions-elect dominated with 78 per cent possession and 23 shots at goal compared to the hosts’ three, but they had to come from behind after a calamitous bit of defending after 40 minutes.
Lazar Samardzic’s shot from the corner of the box was not powerful, but it took a slight deflection off Carlos Augusto. Even though the ball appeared to pose little danger, goalkeeper Yann Sommer and defender Denzel Dumfries left it to each other, and it rolled in at the far post.
Inter got back on track with a 55th-minute penalty from Hakan Calhanoglu, who sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to score his tenth goal of the campaign.
The winner didn’t come until the 95th minute when Frattesi pounced to tap home a rebound after Lautaro Martinez’s low shot came off the post.
Udinese remain 15th and only two points above the drop zone.
With bottom club Salernitana almost definitely doomed, another seven clubs are fighting not to be the other two relegated.
Only five points separate Sassuolo at second to last from Cagliari in 13th.
AAP
