On 31 August 2025, a dramatic clash unfolded at San Siro where Udinese pulled off a stunning 2–1 victory over Inter Milan in Round Two of the Serie A 2025/2026 season. Denzel Dumfries opened the scoring for Inter, but Udinese hit back with an expertly taken penalty by Keinan Davis and a superb strike from Arthur Atta. Despite pushing hard in the second half, Inter could not find an equalizer, leaving the home crowd stunned.
Match Overview
Goals & Scoring Timeline
- 17′ – Denzel Dumfries gives Inter the lead with a simple tap-in from a Marcus Thuram assist.
- 29′ – Keinan Davis converts a penalty after Dumfries handled the ball inside the box.
- 40′ – Arthur Atta fires Udinese ahead with a well-placed shot from the edge of the area, assisted by Davis.
Key Moments & Turning Points
Udinese's resilience was evident early on—after conceding, Davis calmly slotted home the penalty to restore parity. Just five minutes later, Atta’s strike turned the game. Inter thought they had regained the lead in the second half through a goal by Federico Dimarco, but VAR intervened and disallowed it for offside. Despite sustained pressure and near misses, Inter couldn’t break through again.
Standout Player Performances
- Keinan Davis (Udinese): A composed penalty and incisive presence throughout made him a decisive figure.
- Arthur Atta (Udinese): His goal from distance was not just technically excellent, but also match-defining.
- Federico Dimarco (Inter): Unlucky with a disallowed goal; displayed attacking impetus from the back.
- Denzel Dumfries (Inter): Both scorer and inadvertently culpable for the equalizing penalty.
Tactical Breakdown
- Inter (Cristian Chivu): A 3-5-2 system dominated the opening but lacked defensive vigilance, particularly concerning set-piece and box deliveries. Their failure to maintain composure amid rising pressure cost them dearly.
- Udinese (Kosta Runjaić): Set up compactly and tactically astutely—defended tight, struck decisively on the break and via set pieces. Retreating after taking the lead, they dug in with intensity and discipline.
Post-Match Manager Reactions
- Kosta Runjaić (Udinese Manager) on Arthur Atta:
“I realised where we could improve last season and Atta was one with more potential. Now he has certainly become more dangerous.” - Marcus Thuram (Inter forward):
“We have to start games like we did in the second half. By playing like this we will be able to overturn unfavourable situations.”
Fan Reactions & Atmosphere
The atmosphere at San Siro shifted from optimism after the opening goal to tension as Inter dropped off. A particularly jarring moment came with live VAR confusion that disrupted the stadium PA announcements—fans greeted the disallowance of Dimarco’s goal with frustrated boos and whistles. Udinese supporters, fewer in number, erupted with joy upon full-time, celebrating a rare victory at the Meazza.
What This Means for the Season
- Inter Milan: The defeat leaves them playing catch-up early in the Serie A 2025/2026 season, already trailing league leaders. If they’re to challenge on all fronts, improved starts and mental sharpness are essential.
- Udinese: This result catapults them into early-season relevance. Tactical flexibility and individual breakthroughs (like Atta’s) give hope for a competitive season ahead.