Milan, Italy – In a result that sent ripples through the nascent Serie A season, **Udinese orchestrated a remarkable 2-1 victory over FC Internazionale at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium**, better known as San Siro. This unexpected turn of events, following Inter`s dominant 5-0 season opener against Torino, saw the home side succumb to the tactical acumen of coach Runjaic and the individual brilliance of a burgeoning talent, Arthur Atta.
Arthur Atta of Udinese celebrates his match-winning goal at San Siro, August 31, 2025.
Inter`s Fleeting Dominance
The match began with Inter asserting their customary early pressure, seemingly settling into an academic rhythm. Their efforts bore fruit in the 17th minute when **Denzel Dumfries** capitalized on a finely crafted move. Lautaro Martínez, dubbed “El Toro,” initiated the attack with a deceptive feint at midfield, releasing Marcus Thuram. Thuram then combined with Dimarco before delivering a precise pass to Dumfries, who, evading Solet, slotted home with relative ease. It appeared to be business as usual for the Nerazzurri.
A Sudden Shift: Udinese Capitalizes on Inter`s Missteps
However, the tide swiftly turned. Just 12 minutes later, a moment of ill-discipline from the goal-scorer, Dumfries, gifted Udinese a lifeline. A wide-flung arm within the box resulted in a clear penalty after VAR review. **Davis** calmly converted the spot-kick, leveling the score and injecting a palpable sense of unease into the San Siro faithful. The irony was not lost on observers; the player who had put Inter ahead had also provided Udinese with their equalizer.
The real dagger, however, came in the 40th minute, courtesy of Udinese`s young French midfielder, **Arthur Atta**. Hailing from Rennes, the “golden nugget” as described by some, punished Inter`s defensive hesitation. With Bisseck backing off, granting him space at the edge of the area, Atta unleashed a precise right-footed shot into the bottom corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. It was a goal of both technical quality and opportunistic instinct, sending Udinese into halftime with an improbable lead.
Second Half Frustration and Defensive Dilemmas
The second half saw a wounded Inter attempting to claw their way back, but their efforts were met with stubborn resistance from Udinese. Coach Chivu, clearly troubled by his team`s defensive vulnerability—a department notably unreinforced during the transfer window—tried to inject fresh impetus. Debutant **Esposito** entered the fray to applause, and Chivu shifted to a 3-4-2-1 formation, deploying Thuram and Lautaro behind the young forward. Despite Thuram`s continued involvement (including an assist for a disallowed goal) and Barella`s tireless work, Inter found themselves increasingly frustrated.
Udinese`s defense, particularly **Solet**, displayed admirable resilience, making crucial clearances and thwarting Inter`s numerous attempts. Solet, who had momentarily faltered on Dumfries` goal, redeemed himself with excellent interventions against Barella and Thuram in the second half, earning him continued scrutiny from Inter`s scouting department. Atta, too, continued to impress, showcasing an all-around performance that belied his age, combining offensive thrusts with diligent defensive tracking. His calm demeanor and impactful plays, especially his tenacious late tackle on Dumfries, underscored his immense potential.
Implications for the Title Race
This surprising defeat leaves Inter disappointed and with much to ponder during the upcoming international break. The initial euphoria of a dominant opening weekend has been replaced by the stark reality of defensive frailties and a loss of momentum. The result also means that rivals Juventus, Napoli, Roma, and even Cremonese have now opened up a three-point lead in the early Serie A standings, a margin that, while small, could carry psychological weight.
For Udinese, this victory at San Siro is a monumental statement. It`s a testament to Coach Runjaic`s tactical preparation and the burgeoning talent within his squad, with Arthur Atta shining brightest. His first Serie A goal, a curling right-footed effort, truly was, as the article aptly put it, “museum-worthy.” The footballing world now watches with keen interest as this young prodigy from Brittany continues his ascent.
