MILAN (AP) — Inter Milan consolidated its lead at the top of the Serie A standings with a 1-0 victory over Udinese on Saturday and is confident of the resumption of the Champions League.
Lautaro Martinez scored in the first half to put Inter Milan six points ahead of second-placed AC Milan and nine points ahead of third-placed defending champion Napoli.
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Napoli then hosts Sassuolo. Milan host lowly Lecce on Sunday.
Fourth-ranked Juventus will then face relegation-threatened Cagliari.
Inter Milan will face Arsenal in the Champions League on Tuesday. Arsenal have won all six of their games in Europe’s elite club competition and sit top of the table. Inter Milan have suffered defeats in their last two games and are currently in sixth place.
With this crucial game approaching, Christian Chivu once again rotated the lineup on Saturday, with Pio Esposito partnering Lautaro.
The two teamed up to score in the 20th minute.
Piotr Sebastian Zielinski sent a through ball into the box and Esposito backheeled the ball into the path of Lautaro, who forced his way through the goal before drilling into the bottom right corner.
Federico Di Marco thought he doubled Inter’s lead in the 61st minute after another assist from Esposito, but it was ruled out for offside.
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