Inter Milan beat Empoli 1-0 at Stadio Carlo Castellani to maintain their perfect start to the Serie A season.
The victory means Simone Inzaghi’s side have made it five wins in five matches.
at the tournament.
They are in first place, 3 points ahead of city rival AC Milan, who have 12 points.
Federico Dimarco scored to send bottom team Empoli to their fifth consecutive defeat.
Federico Dimarco’s superb volley secured victory for Inter in the high and low Serie A clash at Empoli.
Despite dominating the first half, Inter lacked the quality to destroy their city rivals 5-1 last weekend, but they came close twice, d First when the Davide Frattesi’s header was cleared off the line by Ardian Ismajli, then Marcus Thuram just narrowly offside as he converted from close range.
During that period, Empoli should have been quite confident of their first point of the campaign and Inter must have increased their intent to push them behind early in the second half.
In the build-up to this match in Italy, it was emphasized that Inter were a different team to last year and did not appear to be dropping points like they did in the reverse fixture between these teams last season.
But at half-time one couldn’t help but wonder whether the pivotal moment in the Milan derby would lead to an emotional letdown.
But like midweek, they chased away all negative thoughts and got results.
Unlike against Real Sociedad, there wasn’t much of an issue until Lautaro Martinez scored a late winner, but there was still a lack of intensity as the first half progressed.
As always, a moment of inspiration can make a difference in the way matches are perceived, but Simone Inzaghi will certainly be pleased to have his team go home this afternoon.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – FEDERICO DIMARCO (INTER)
Even before scoring the winning goal, he was one of the few Inter players whose intensity matched that of the biggest matches.
While his energy and effort earned him a place in the team, it was the way he hit the ball that made him special.
Few have hit a ball cleaner for the first time in world football than his knock-down-on-contact method that few can repeat without embarrassment.
A minute before his goal, Etrit Berisha had to make a very good save to deny him a similar opener, but nothing could stop his eventual winner, who could not have a more realistic trajectory.
PLAYER NOTES
Empoli:
Berisha 6; Ebuehi 6, Ismajli 7, Luperto 6, Pezzella 6; Marin 6, Ranocchia 6, Maleh 6; Baldanzi 7; Spend 6, exchange 6
Submarine:
lukiewicz 6, Fazzini 5, Grassi 6, Destro 6, Prime Minister 7.
Between:
Summer 6; Pavard 7, Acerbi 6, Bastoni 6; Darmian 6, Frattesi 7, Calhanoglu 7, Mkhitaryan 7, Dimarco 8*; Thuram 7, Lautaro Martínez 7.
Submarine:
Barella 6, Arnautovic 6, De Vrij 6, Carlos Augusto 6, Sánchez 6.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
10′ OUT OF THE LINE FOR IMSAJLI!
Darmian rose highest at the far post and fired a powerful shot past the Empoli goalkeeper, but Ismajli came back to save the day by firing into the home net.
35′ THURAM HAS A GOLDEN BALL!
Frattesi blocked Calhanoglu’s cross and Thuram hit the post but it was just offside.
40′ BERISHA GOOD SAVE!
A beautiful ball from Calhanoglu fell to Frattesi, who tried to pass the ball past the Empoli goalkeeper, but he was quick on his feet and stood tall enough to block the shot and then dive onto the free ball.
50′ GOOD REPUTATION FROM BERISHA AGAIN!
Dimarco cut the ball in with a typical volley and was hit by a missile that the Albanian goalkeeper rushed towards to push his near post wide.
51′ GOAL FOR INTER!
This time Dimarco scored with a great attack.
The clearance from a corner bounced invitingly to him on a half-volley and his shot went straight into the top corner, leaving Berisha with no chance.
66′ GOOD SLEEP STOP!
Ranocchia sent a well-taken free kick over the crossbar but Sommer raced away to safety.