Opposition Analysis: Udinese | OneFootball

After their Champions League opener, Inter immediately turn their attention back to Serie A. On Matchday 4, the Nerazzurri host Udinese at San Siro on Monday 14 September at 20:45. The meeting with the Bianconeri gives Inter their first opportunity to respond to the defeat at the Bernabéu and build on a perfect start to the league campaign, with three wins from three against Monza, Cagliari and Napoli. Udinese have also made a positive start to the season, despite surrendering a lead at home to Lazio last time out. The Friulani opened with a draw against Como before winning away at Monza, and they now have a well-established identity after two seasons under Kosta Runjaić, who has begun his third campaign in charge on a positive note.

FORMATION AND STYLE OF PLAY

Runjaić has stayed true to the system and tactical principles that have underpinned Udinese’s progress over the past two seasons, with the Bianconeri finishing 12th and then tenth, collecting 50 points in 2025/26. The German coach has shaped his side around a 3-4-2-1 designed to maximise their physical presence, the running power of the wing-backs and the strength of Keinan Davis as the focal point in attack. One of Udinese’s key strengths is their ability to play forward quickly, particularly when they can go direct into Davis and use his ability to hold the ball up with his back to goal before bringing others into play. The two attacking midfielders behind him push forward in support, while the wing-backs attack the spaces out wide. This allows the Bianconeri to progress rapidly into dangerous areas and create numerical overloads in the opposition’s final third.

The goals against Como and Lazio were clear examples of how Udinese look to attack. On Matchday 1 against the Lariani, Abankwah broke the lines with his pass, Gueye laid the ball off for Ekkelenkamp, and the Dutchman threaded Kamara through to score. Against Lazio, the move started on the right, where Vojvoda found Davis directly; the striker’s first-time lay-off then released Karlström into space. In both cases, Udinese carved out the chance with just three touches.

Set pieces have also been a major weapon in the opening weeks of the season, with Udinese able to call on plenty of physical and aerial presence. They have also shown a clear willingness to shoot from distance. Two of their three goals against Monza came in exactly that manner: corners were only partially cleared, allowing Kamara first and then Ekkelenkamp to strike from outside the box.

THE START TO THE SEASON

Udinese head into the meeting with Inter tenth in the table after taking four points from their opening three matches, with one draw, one win and one defeat, five goals scored and five conceded. There has been a common thread running through all three games, with both the strengths and weaknesses of Runjaić’s side coming to the fore. The Friulani have opened the scoring every time, using their well-drilled vertical play against Como and Lazio, while against Monza they capitalised on winning the ball high up the pitch and committing several players to the box. On all three occasions, however, Udinese have allowed their opponents back into the game as their intensity dropped in the second half. Como came close to completing the turnaround late on Matchday 1, Monza threatened a comeback in the second, and Lazio managed to do so in the third.

One area that has caused Udinese problems in the opening weeks of the season has been their occupation of space inside their own penalty area, with lapses in marking and positioning particularly evident from set pieces. Como equalised from a corner, with Chalobah rising highest in the middle and Douvikas left unmarked to convert the rebound, before Ramon struck the bar from another corner late on. Monza scored twice after exploiting positional errors in Udinese’s defensive line, finding two players free in the middle of the box on both occasions. Lazio did the same, making the most of runs into the area from Frattesi and Gudmundsson.

KEY PLAYERS

Udinese arrive at San Siro with some significant absentees, with Zaniolo and Piotrowski sidelined through injury and Solet’s recovery still uncertain. They can, however, rely on the player who carries much of their attacking threat: Keinan Davis. Runjaić’s side make extensive use of his physical strength, ability to protect the ball and bring teammates into play, while his pace also gives Udinese a threat in behind. Behind him, the German coach has several interchangeable options in midfield and attacking midfield. Ekkelenkamp, Karlström, Unai Gomez and Miller can all operate in the spaces between midfield and attack, combining their ability on the ball with well-timed runs and a threat from distance, while also helping link the play and provide protection in front of the defence.Much of Udinese’s attacking play comes through the wide areas, where Vojvoda and Kamara offer contrasting qualities. The former Como player has operated almost as a wide playmaker on the right and, over the opening three matchdays, has averaged more touches than any other player in Runjaić’s side, with 72 per game. On the opposite flank, Kamara is far more attack-minded, constantly looking to make forward runs and exploit space, and has already scored twice. At the back, Omar Solet is central to Udinese’s build-up, although he remains a doubt after picking up a problem against Lazio. Kabasele replaced him against the Biancocelesti, with Ebosse and Abankwah either side, while Okoye remains the established presence in goal.

Udinese arrive at San Siro with a clear identity and a positive start to the season behind them, despite the issues that have surfaced over the opening three matchdays. They are a physical, direct side who can cause problems going forward, but who have also shown vulnerabilities without the ball. For Inter, after the trip to Madrid, it is another Serie A test and a chance to respond immediately, rediscover their momentum and build on the three straight wins that opened the campaign.