Empoli vs Inter 0-2: Nerazzurri Ease to Comfortable Win

Inter secured a comfortable 2-0 victory at the Stadio Carlo Castellani on Wednesday evening, returning to winning ways after picking up just one point from their last two Serie A games. 

Danilo D’Ambrosio and Federico Dimarco were the rare scorers for Inter here as they secured their sixth win of the season to maintain seven points off leaders Milan. 

Empoli boss Aurelio Andreazzoli made three changes to his starting lineup from their 4-2 win away to Salernitana last Saturday. Riccardo Marchizza, Nicolas Haas and Liam Henderson were replaced by Fabiano Parisi, Nedim Bajrami and Szymon Zurkowski respectively. 

Simone Inzaghi made four changes for Inter heading into this one with their top goalscorer, Edin Dzeko, given a rest here, dropping to the bench as he was replaced by Alexis Sanchez. Milan Skriniar also dropped to the bench with D’Ambrosio starting in the three-man defense alongside regulars Stefan De Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni.

Ivan Perisic and Hakan Calhanoglu were the other two players to lose a spot in the starting lineup, after starting against Juventus last time out, being replaced by Dimarco and Roberto Gagliardini respectively. 

Despite Inter having the better of possession early on, they failed to create any chances of note and it was the hosts who looked more like scoring. 

Empoli had a couple of decent chances when Petar Stojanovic had the game’s first effort, with his long range strike being saved well by Samir Handanovic. Their best chance of the game came inside the first 20 minutes as the ball fell to Sebastiano Luperto inside the area. Luckily for Inter, D’Ambrosio was there to make a crucial block. 

In a busy night for Guglielmo Vicario, his first save came when he tipped over a powerful strike by Dimarco from outside the area, following a well-worked free kick by Inter. 

Veteran D’Ambrosio gave Inter the lead, just after half an hour of play, in what was his first goal since last December, marking his first start of the season with a rare goal. The 33-year-old scored with a fantastic header past ‘keeper Vicario, getting on the end of a lovely ball clipped into the box by Sanchez. 

Sanchez continued to look threatening towards the end of the half and potentially could have received a penalty after a challenge in the area by Luperto but the Chilean continued on to no avail. 

Sanchez was also involved straight after the break, leaping well to get on the end of a cross by Matteo Darmian down the right, but his header was saved comfortably by Vicario. 

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It's all over at the Castellani!? #EmpoliInter 0️⃣-2️⃣#ForzaInter ⚫? pic.twitter.com/FWYrbZlbcm

— Inter ??? (@Inter_en) October 27, 2021

Empoli’s chances of getting anything out of the game dwindled when Samuele Ricci received a straight red card for a high challenge on Nicolo Barella early on in the second half. It was a dangerous lunge by the Empoli midfielder and he was rightly dismissed for the challenge. 

Sanchez put in an impressive performance and he thought he had put Inter two up after he converted from close range but it was disallowed for offside. The Chilean will feel that he deserved a goal for his influential performance. 

After the red card, Inter took full control of the match and Gagliardini was denied by the woodwork as the Nerazzurri continued to push for their second of the night. Darmian had provided another good ball down the right as Gagliardini’s header struck the post. 

Vicario made a fantastic save to deny Lautaro Martinez, as the Argentine was left in plenty of space in the area. It looked like the ball had crossed the line but Vicario was able to claw the ball back, with the goal line technology signalling no goal. 

The visitors finally doubled their lead in the 66th minute through Dimarco. Martinez provided the assist with a great ball across goal from the left before Dimarco was able to convert from close range at the back post. 

Inter comfortably saw out the rest of the game and could have easily scored more on another day as they continued to create chances towards the end of the match. 

Despite Empoli having a few decent chances early on, it was Inter who ran out deserved winners here with the Ricci red card ultimately ending any chance for the hosts to salvage a point. 

 

MATCH SCORECARD

October 27, 2021 – Serie A 2021-22 Round 10
EMPOLI – INTER 0-2

SCORERS: 34′ D’Ambrosio, 66′ Dimarco