After a thrilling 4-4 draw against Juventus last weekend, Inter Milan will look to get back to winning ways as they travel to face Empoli on Wednesday evening. The reigning Serie A champions dropped points leaving Napoli clear at the top, while mid-table Empoli will hope to spring an upset against one of the title favorites.
Inter Milan have been in imperious form this season, losing just once in 12 matches across all competitions. Their unbeaten run stretches back to early September when they fell to city rivals AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina. Since then, Simone Inzaghi’s men have put together a string of impressive results, including five straight wins before the draw with Juventus.
The Nerazzurri currently sit second in Serie A, just two points behind leaders Napoli. Their attacking prowess has been on full display, netting 17 goals in their last 5 league games. However, the usually solid Inter defence showed some cracks against Juventus, conceding 4 goals after letting in just 5 in their previous 7 Serie A matches.
Empoli have had a steady if unspectacular start to the season under new manager Roberto D’Aversa. They currently occupy 10th place with 11 points from 9 games. The Azzurri started brightly with some positive results, including progressing in the Coppa Italia. However, their momentum was halted by back-to-back defeats against Napoli and Lazio in recent weeks.
Goals have been hard to come by for Empoli this term – they’ve scored just 7 and conceded 6 in their 9 league games so far. At home, their record is particularly poor, failing to score in 4 attempts at the Stadio Carlo Castellani this season.
The head-to-head record heavily favours Inter Milan in this fixture. The Nerazzurri have won 13 of the last 14 meetings between the sides across all competitions. Empoli’s sole victory in that run came in a shock 1-0 win at San Siro in April 2023.
Last season’s corresponding fixture saw Inter run out comfortable 3-0 winners in Tuscany. Marcus Thuram bagged a brace that day, with Hakan Calhanoglu also on the scoresheet from the penalty spot.
With goals at a premium for Empoli this season, much will rest on the shoulders of young striker Lorenzo Colombo. The AC Milan loanee has shown flashes of his potential and will be eager to prove himself against one of Italy’s top sides.
French forward Marcus Thuram has hit the ground running since his summer move to Inter. His pace and power have added a new dimension to the Nerazzurri attack. After netting against Juventus at the weekend, Thuram will be full of confidence heading to Tuscany.
Team News
The hosts have a few injury concerns to contend with. Goalkeeper Samuele Perisan remains sidelined, as does right-back Tyronne Ebuehi. Center-back Saba Sazonov is a long-term absentee.
There are also doubts over the availability of on-loan Inter striker Sebastiano Esposito. The 22-year-old missed the weekend’s draw with Parma due to a thigh strain and faces a race to be fit to face his parent club.
Simone Inzaghi may look to rotate his squad after the energy-sapping clash with Juventus. Midfielder Piotr Zielinski is a major doubt after coming off with thigh flexor fatigue on Sunday. His absence would be keenly felt after the Polish international scored twice on his first Serie A start for Inter.
Regular midfield lynchpin Hakan Calhanoglu remains doubtful, while wing-back Carlos Augusto and defender Francesco Acerbi are still sidelined.
Inzaghi could hand starts to fringe players like Yann Bisseck, Mehdi Taremi and Davide Frattesi as he looks to keep his squad fresh during a busy period.
Expected Starting XIs
Empoli: Vasquez; Goglichidze, Ismajli, Viti; Gyasi, Anjorin, Grassi, Pezzella; Fazzini, Solbakken; Colombo
Inter: Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni; Darmian, Frattesi, Barella, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Taremi
Match Prediction
While Empoli will hope to frustrate Inter, the gulf in quality between the sides should tell over 90 minutes. The hosts have struggled for goals at home, while Inter boast one of the most potent attacks in Serie A.
Empoli may be able to keep things tight early on, but Inter’s firepower should eventually break them down. Expect the visitors to control possession and create plenty of chances.
Prediction: Empoli 0-2 Inter Milan