After the setback against Bologna on Wednesday, there was no chance that Inter would drop points again. Simone Inzaghi maximized the situation in the locker room, strengthened the flanks, and got the job done against Empoli’s defensive setup – 3:1. As expected, the team from Tuscany came to defend at the Meazza and held their ground for nearly an hour. They didn’t have a single shot on goal until about ten minutes before the end, when they managed to score a consolation goal and walk away with an acceptable defeat. Cette TRÈS BELLE FRAPPE de Lautaro Martinez face à Empoli. ☄️🖤💙🎥 (@SerieA) pic.twitter.com/SzKcti2X4r— Instant Foot ⚽️ (@lnstantFoot) January 20, 2025 Dimarco and Dumfries had strong support on the flanks from Renato Augusto and Pavard, ensuring that the Nerazzurri won the battle on the wings. It was also expected that they would take the initiative from the start, but Empoli defended well and waited for their chance on the counterattack. That chance never came, but they managed to keep the score level until halftime. Inter’s only real opportunities were two chances from Lautaro Martínez. The first was stopped by Milan’s on-loan goalkeeper Devis Vásquez, while the second hit the crossbar. However, third time’s the charm for Lautaro, who scored a stunning goal from 25 meters about ten minutes into the second half, lifting the burden off Inter’s shoulders. Even at 1-0, Empoli did not open up too much and continued to wait for counterattacks. After a series of substitutions on both sides, Denzel Dumfries sealed the match. He rose highest after a corner kick and doubled the lead with a header. Only then did Empoli go all-in, and they managed to score a goal through Inter’s former player, Sebastiano Esposito, who chose not to celebrate. But soon after, they conceded a third. A perfect three-pass combination – Barella sent a through ball to Arnautović, who selflessly set up Marcus Thuram for an easy finish. With a game in hand, Inter remains three points behind leaders Napoli, and after this round, it’s clear that we’ll see a two-horse race until the end of the season.SERIE A – MATCHDAY 21FridayRoma – Genoa 3-1 (1-1)/Dovbyk 25, El Shaarawy 60, Leali 73 og – Masini 33/SaturdayBologna – Monza 3-1 (2-1)/Castro 22, Odgaard 34, Orsolini 69 – Maldini 4/Juventus – Milan 2-0 (0-0)/Mbangula 59, Weah 64/Atalanta – Napoli 2-3 (1-2)/Retegui 16, Lookman 55 – Politano 27, McTominnay 40, Lukaku 78/SundayFiorentina – Torino 1-1 (1-0)/Kean 38 – Gineitis 70/Cagliari – Lecce 4-1 (0-1)/Gaetano 60, Luperto 65, Zortea 80, Obert 83 – Pierotti 42/Parma – Venezia 1-1 (0-1)/Hernani 56 pen – Pohjanpalo 20 pen/Verona – Lazio 0-3 (0-2)/Gigot 2, Dia 21, Zaccagni 58/Inter – Empoli 3-1 (0-0)/Martinez 55, Dumfries 79, Thuram 69 – Esposito 84/Monday22.45: (2.20) Como (3.45) Udinese (3.60)**odds are subject to change**
