Inter Milan's quest to secure a European berth has taken another step in the right direction after they secured a vital 2-1 win away at nine-man Udinese in their Serie A clash at the Stadio Friuli.
The visitors were quickest off the starting blocks as Mauro Icardi collected Davide Santon's pass en route to goal, but the resulting effort was way off target.
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Andrea Stramaccioni's charges then enjoyed a bright spell that culminated in efforts for Ivan Piris and Emmanuel Badu, but Inter countered through a long-range Fredy Guarin shot that flew just wide.
The Nerazzurri soon upped their tempo and began dominating proceedings, but were unable to breach the Zebrette's backline by the break, despite them having Maurizio Domizzi sent off for a second yellow in the 41st minute.
Roberto Mancini's side were then given a great chance to take the lead just three minutes after the restart when Orestis Karnezis fouled Mateo Kovacic in the box, prompting the referee to give the visitors a penalty.
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Icardi stepped up to the spot and duly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to give his side the lead.
Inter's advantage didn't last long, however, as Antonio Di Natale pulled Udinese level in the 50th minute after weaving past Nemanja Vidic and Felipe with ease before guiding a composed finish beyond Samir Handanovic.
The Zebrette's chances of getting something from the game then suffered a major setback as they saw another man sent off, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu remonstrating with the referee who duly showed him a red card.
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It didn't take long for the Nerazzurri to retake the lead against nine men, Arsenal loanee Lukas Podolski going on to net his first goal for Inter with a stinging left-footed effort into the top corner from 20 yards out.
Inter were relentless following their second goal, pushing forward at every opportunity and threatening a third through the likes of Hernanes, Podolski, Santon and Kovacic.
Despite failing to put the game to bed, the Milan side were able to hold on to the victory in light of a late Udinese surge and climb to seventh place in the Serie A table, just two points behind fifth-placed Sampdoria.
Giuseppe Labellarte
