ROME — Goalkeeper Yann Sommer made two clutch saves and Inter Milan made sure of maintaining its Serie A lead with a 2-1 win over visiting Udinese on Sunday.

Marko Arnautovic took advantage of a rare start at center forward, opening the scoring early in the first half by redirecting in a cross from Federico Dimarco with one touch.

Davide Frattesi quickly doubled the lead with a nearly identical goal.

Center back Oumar Solet pulled one back for Udinese midway through the second half with a long, curling shot for his first Serie A goal.

Sommer then palmed away a dangerous effort from Lorenzo Lucca to preserve the lead.

Sommer also made a save on a close-range effort from Solet in stoppage time, after which vehement protests from Simone Inzaghi resulted in the Inter coach being sent off.

Inter moved six points clear of second-placed Napoli, which was hosting AC Milan later.

Inter Milan’s Marko Arnautovic reacts after he scored during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Udinese at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, March 30, 2025. Credit: AP/Luca Bruno

Earlier, third-placed Atalanta lost 1-0 at Fiorentina.

Arnautovic replaced Lautaro Martinez, who picked up a knock with Argentina.

Inter also sorely missed injured center back Alessandro Bastoni.

In the upcoming Champions League quarterfinals, Inter faces Bayern Munich.

Inter Milan’s Francesco Acerbi celebrates after scoring during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Udinese at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, March 30, 2025. Credit: AP/Luca Bruno

Atalanta’s fading title hopes take another hit

Atalanta dropped nine points back with its second consecutive loss after getting beat 2-0 by Inter before the international break.

Fiorentina striker Moise Kean scored his 16th goal of the season at the end of the first half with a solo action.

“In terms of the title race, I would say we’re done,” Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini said. “It was an impossible dream that I think had already faded away during the match with Inter.”

Also, Cagliari beat last-placed Monza 3-0.