Inter just can't catch a break. Even when they’re sitting pretty at the top of Serie A, there’s always something lurking around the corner to keep Cristian Chivu awake at night. This time, it’s a trip to the Bluenergy Stadium.
Inter Milan next match sees them facing Udinese on Saturday, January 17, 2026. On paper? It looks like a formality. Inter have 46 points from 20 games and just swatted aside Lecce. Udinese are chilling in 10th place, seemingly content with mid-table mediocrity. But football is rarely played on paper, and the Nerazzurri are heading into a storm of their own making.
Honestly, the mood around Appiano Gentile is a weird mix of confidence and high-wire tension. They’ve won seven of their last eight league games. That’s title-winning form. Yet, the ghost of August still haunts them—Udinese actually beat Inter at the San Siro earlier this season. That 2-1 loss remains one of the few blemishes on an otherwise stellar campaign. Revenge is a motivator, sure, but fatigue is a much stronger reality.
The Arsenal shadow and the midfield crisis
The biggest problem isn't even Udinese. It's the fact that Inter have one eye on Tuesday. Three days after this match, they host Arsenal in the Champions League. It’s a massive game. A season-defining game. And players are humans; they know it.
Chivu is caught in that classic manager’s dilemma. Do you rest your stars and risk a slip-up in the Scudetto race? Or do you go full strength and pray nobody snaps a hamstring before the Gunners arrive?
Speaking of hamstrings, the midfield is a mess right now. Hakan Çalhanoğlu is out. That’s a massive blow. He’s the heartbeat of this team, the guy who dictates the tempo and bails them out with a 30-yard screamer or a clinical penalty. Without him, the ball doesn't move quite as fast. Reports suggest a muscle injury will keep him sidelined until mid-February.
- Piotr Zieliński will likely have to carry the creative burden.
- Nicolò Barella is going to have to run for two people.
- Petar Sucic might get the nod if Chivu wants to be brave.
It’s not just the middle of the park, either. Denzel Dumfries is in the treatment room with an ankle issue, and Matteo Darmian has been nursing a muscle problem. When your wing-back rotation is gutted, the 3-5-2 system starts to look a lot less "unstoppable" and a lot more "vulnerable to counter-attacks."
Why Udinese is actually dangerous
Udinese under Kosta Runjaic are the definition of "tricky." They aren't going to win the league, but they have this annoying habit of making life miserable for the big boys. They just drew with Pisa and, despite having a shaky home record this season, they play with a physical edge that can rattle a tired Inter side.
Arthur Atta and Keinan Davis were the ones who did the damage back in August. They’re still there. They’re still fast. And they’re facing an Inter defense that might be missing some of its usual protection from the midfield.
Let's look at the standings. Inter lead AC Milan by three points. Napoli is lurking four points back. A draw in Udine doesn't just mean two dropped points; it means the pressure for the upcoming Derby and the Champions League ties becomes suffocating.
Predicted Lineup and Tactical Shift
Expect Chivu to rotate, but cautiously. Yann Sommer is a lock in goal. The back three will likely feature Alessandro Bastoni and Manuel Akanji, but we might see Yann Bisseck get a start to keep Francesco Acerbi fresh for Arsenal.
The wings are the big question mark. Federico Dimarco is essential, but Carlos Augusto might start to give the Italian a breather. On the right, with Dumfries out, the options are getting thin. Maybe Luis Henrique gets the shout?
📖 Related: What Really Happened With the Luka Trade: The Timeline That Changed the NBA
Up front, it’s the usual "Toro" and "Tikus" show. Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram are the best duo in Italy, period. But even they looked a bit leggy against Lecce. Don't be surprised if Francesco Pio Esposito—who grabbed a late goal recently—gets significant minutes off the bench.
The psychological battle
The "trap game" narrative is real. Everyone is talking about Arsenal. The fans are buying tickets for the Champions League. The media is asking about the European coefficient.
Meanwhile, Udinese has had a full week to prepare. They have no European distractions. They have no midweek fatigue. They have a stadium full of fans who would love nothing more than to "do the double" over the league leaders.
✨ Don't miss: Why an Olympic weight bench set is the only gym gear that actually matters for your home gains
Inter’s 2025-26 season has been defined by their grit. They haven't always played beautiful football, but they’ve found ways to win. Against Udinese, they’ll need that "ugly" winning mentality more than ever.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re watching this one, keep an eye on the first 20 minutes. If Inter don't score early, the frustration will grow, and that’s when Udinese’s counter-attack becomes lethal.
- Watch the booking markets: Without Çalhanoğlu’s tactical discipline, Inter might commit more "professional fouls" in transition. Barella is a prime candidate for a yellow card here.
- Monitor the line-ups: If Thuram or Lautaro are benched, the "Under 2.5 goals" market looks a lot more attractive. Inter’s depth is good, but those two are irreplaceable.
- Live Betting: If the game is 0-0 at halftime, look for Inter to turn up the heat around the 60th minute when Chivu inevitably brings on the big guns from the bench.
The road to the Scudetto always goes through these cold, difficult afternoons in Udine. Inter have the quality, but do they have the focus? We're about to find out.
✨ Don't miss: Who Are The Bucks Playing Tonight: Why This Slump Is Real
Next Step for You: Check the official starting XI exactly 60 minutes before kickoff on Saturday (3:00 PM CET). If Barella is rested alongside Çalhanoğlu, the risk of an upset jumps significantly.