Captain Martinez Propels Inter Beyond Udinese to Six-Point Lead

Lautaro Martinez ensured Inter Milan ramped up the pressure on their Serie A title challengers by netting the lone goal in their 1-0 triumph over Udinese on Saturday, stretching their advantage at the summit to six points.

Martinez deftly prodded the ball into the net for the match-winning strike in the 20th minute in Udine, prolonging Inter's unbeaten sequence to nine outings in Italy's premier division.

Inter controlled the game from beginning to end, applying intense pressure on Udinese in advanced positions exactly as coach Cristian Chivu requires from his players.

"What we're displaying on the pitch is a testament to the desire of these players, because it's not easy to change habits," said Chivu to DAZN.

"We defend high up the pitch and we start with pressure from the forwards and it comes from their work, the desire for our midfielders to win duels and from the courage of our defenders in maintaining a high line."

Inter have amassed 25 points out of a possible 27 since their loss in the Milan derby towards the end of November and once again exhibited a clinical edge against lower-tier opponents that both AC Milan and Napoli have failed to show.

Napoli confront Sassuolo in their forthcoming Saturday clash after three successive stalemates have positioned the title holders in third spot, nine points adrift of the Scudetto frontrunners.

Second-placed Milan entertain Lecce on Sunday, with a six-point deficit to city foes Inter, despite the seven-time European winners staying undefeated since the campaign's initial fixture.

Massimiliano Allegri's team have squandered numerous points against sides they ought to defeat, commencing in August versus Jamie Vardy's Cremonese, who continue as the sole outfit to claim three points off Milan.

Inter, on the other hand, face the reverse issue, boasting a weak history in encounters with prominent adversaries, a shortcoming that faces examination from Premier League pacesetters Arsenal come Tuesday in the Champions League.

Four successive victories at the outset of the league phase in the tournament gave way to a pair of setbacks that have cast uncertainty over straight progression to the round of 16.

Juventus, occupying fourth, lag Inter by 10 points yet have progressed under Luciano Spalletti and enter as firm favourites to prevail at Cagliari in Saturday's closing encounter.