The Nerazzurri delivered a crucial 3-1 victory over Empoli at San Siro, responding to Napoli’s win and staying within three points of the Serie A leaders, with a game in hand. Simone Inzaghi’s squad overcame a slow first half to seal the win with a clinical second-half performance, led by captain Lautaro Martinez and contributions from Denzel Dumfries and Marcus Thuram.
Match Recap
After a frustrating first half where Lautaro Martinez hit the post and Empoli’s goalkeeper Vasquez made critical saves, the breakthrough came in the 55th minute. Martinez unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box, leaving Vasquez with no chance and giving Inter the lead. Dumfries doubled the advantage in the 79th minute with a towering header from a corner kick, showcasing his impressive aerial ability.
Empoli refused to give up and pulled one back in the 85th minute through former Inter player Sebastiano Esposito. The 21-year-old delivered a stunning individual effort, slipping past Stefan de Vrij to momentarily bring the visitors back into contention. However, Inter swiftly countered, with Marcus Thuram sealing the win in the 89th minute after a perfect assist from Marko Arnautovic.
Key Moments
- Lautaro Martinez: The captain was instrumental, opening the scoring with his 111th Serie A goal, tying Mauro Icardi as the second-highest foreign scorer in Inter’s history.
- Denzel Dumfries: The Dutch wing-back continued his hot streak, scoring his fourth goal of 2025 with a clinical header.
- Sebastiano Esposito: The Empoli striker made his mark against his former club, notching his eighth goal of the season in style.
Tactical Analysis
Inter controlled the tempo in the first half, though they lacked urgency and struggled to convert possession into goals. Empoli, disciplined in defense, aimed to frustrate the hosts, relying on counterattacks that rarely materialized. The second half saw Inter shift gears, with Martinez leading by example and Dumfries and Thuram capitalizing on the spaces left by a tiring Empoli side.
Despite the victory, Inter’s defensive lapse that allowed Esposito’s goal is a reminder of areas for improvement as they prepare for tougher challenges, including their Champions League commitments.
Player Ratings
- Lautaro Martinez (7): A constant threat, his stunning opener set the tone for Inter’s second-half dominance.
- Denzel Dumfries (7): Delivered both defensively and offensively, scoring a crucial second goal.
- Sebastiano Esposito (6.5): A bright spot for Empoli, his late goal showcased his skill and composure.
Looking Ahead
With this win, Inter remains firmly in the Serie A title race, trailing Napoli by three points but holding a game in hand. Empoli, on the other hand, remains in the lower half of the table but showed glimpses of promise, particularly through Esposito’s performance. As the season progresses, consistency will be key for the Nerazzurri to challenge Napoli’s dominance.
