Curtis Jones helped Inter Milan to a thrilling comeback victory in Serie A
Curtis Jones
Curtis Jones was dropped to the bench against Udinese(Image: Inter via Getty Images)
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Curtis Jones made up for his Champions League nightmare with an impressive cameo off the bench as Inter Milan fought back from 2-0 down to beat Udinese 5-3. The former Liverpool midfielder was at fault for Kylian Mbappe's first-half goal as Inter lost 2-1 away to Real Madrid last week.
On Monday night, he found himself dropped to the bench for Udinese's visit to the San Siro. He watched on powerless as the visitors stormed two goals ahead inside 16 minutes after strikes from James Abankwah and Jurgen Ekkelenkamp.
However, by half-time, Cristian Chivu's side were level after goals from Carlos Augusto and Nicolo Barella. They then hit the front 12 minutes into the second half as Marcus Thuram found the net.
Jones was introduced in the 62nd minute, replacing veteran Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and was involved in the build-up as Francesco Pio Esposito made it 4-2. Ange-Yoan Bonny added the fifth before Idrissa Gueye pulled one back in the 90th minute.
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Italian media were impressed with Jones' contribution, with Corriere della Sera giving him a rating of 6/10 and saying: "He was involved in the action for the fourth goal."
Meanwhile, Gazzetta praised Jones for being "immediately involved." However, it was far from a perfect night for Chivu, who reacted angrily to questions about another mistake from goalkeeper Josep Martinez, who was at fault for Udinese's second goal, having also made a howler against Real Madrid.
Curtis Jones celebrates with goalscorer Ange-Yoan Bonny
Jones celebrates with goalscorer Ange-Yoan Bonny(Image: Getty Images)
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The Romanian pleaded: "I'd ask you not to make headlines every week with the goalkeeping problem. We're trying to improve; I'd like to emphasise this.
"Everyone makes mistakes, including me. Now everyone's focusing on the goalkeeper, but I'll defend him because he's never been a problem. Mistakes are part of the game."
Another headache for the Inter boss is the players in front of Martinez. As well as seeing his side concede three goals, former Manchester City defender John Stones limped off just past the hour mark with a muscle issue.
Curtis Jones
Jones made a positive impact off the bench(Image: Getty Images)
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The Forza Inter Milan website noted: "Josep Martinez and the defensive trio of Stones, [Manuel] Akanji, and [Alessandro] Bastoni looked exposed every time Udinese crossed the halfway line in transition.
"Chivu has built a Ferrari in attack, but the brakes are currently screaming. If we want to defend this title against a disciplined Roma next weekend, this 'all-out-attack' philosophy needs to find its balance before we get punished by a side with more than 35 per cent possession."
Jones will hope to have done enough to have played his way into Chivu's starting line-up for Saturday's early top-of-the-table clash with Roma. Inter and Roma are the only sides left in Serie A with 100 per cent records.