Internazionale v Empoli Live Commentary & Result, 23/01/2023, Serie A

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
1	NAP Napoli	27	23	2	2	64	16	+48	71	W W L W W
2	LAZ Lazio	27	15	7	5	42	19	+23	52	W D W W W
3	INT Internazionale	28	16	2	10	47	32	+15	50	L L L W L
4	MIL Milan	27	14	6	7	44	36	+8	48	L D L W W
5	ATA Atalanta	28	14	6	8	47	32	+15	48	W W L D L
6	ROM Roma	27	14	5	8	35	26	+9	47	L L W L W
7	JUV Juventus	28	18	5	5	46	22	+24	44	W W W L W
8	FIO Fiorentina	28	11	7	10	33	31	+2	40	W W W W W
9	UDI Udinese	27	9	11	7	37	31	+6	38	W W D D L
10	BOL Bologna	27	10	7	10	33	36	-3	37	D D L W W
11	TOR Torino	27	10	7	10	29	33	-4	37	L W W L D
12	SAS Sassuolo	27	10	6	11	35	40	-5	36	W W W W L
13	MON Monza	27	9	7	11	32	37	-5	34	D D W L L
14	EMP Empoli	27	6	10	11	24	36	-12	28	L L L L D
15	LEC Lecce	27	6	9	12	24	32	-8	27	L L L L W
16	SAL Salernitana	27	6	9	12	31	47	-16	27	D D D W L
17	SPE Spezia	27	5	9	13	23	43	-20	24	L W D D L
18	VER Hellas Verona	28	4	7	17	22	42	-20	19	L L D D L
19	SAM Sampdoria	27	3	6	18	16	44	-28	15	W L D L L
20	CRE Cremonese	28	1	10	17	23	52	-29	13	L D L L W

That's all for today, goodbye.

Next up, Inter travel to bottom of the league Cremonese in Serie A looking to get back to winning ways with Empoli hosting Torino.

Baldanzi scored the only goal of the game two minutes after coming on as Empoli beat 10-man Inter. Wasteful in front of goal, the hosts had just one shot on target, with Dimarco’s powerful drive from close range blocked by the goalkeeper. In control, Inter were reduced to 10 men with Skriniar receiving two yellow cards. First, for a tactical foul, his second booking came after a high boot on Caputo. The San Siro outfit had the better of the chances after the break, but it was Empoli who struck the winner. Baldanzi got onto the end of a pass from Bajrami, driving his effort under Onana. Inter pushed for an equaliser but couldn’t find one. De Vrij crashed the bar with a header before Gosens and Dzeko both missed late opportunities.

90' + 5' FULL-TIME: INTER 0-1 EMPOLI

90' + 4' OVER AGAIN! Inter just can't hit the target. Bellanova drives the ball across the box and finds Dzeko. The striker is free but is leaning back when he takes the shot on with it sailing over.

90' + 2' OVER! Bellanova's cross from the right is chested into the path of Gosens by Mkhitaryan. On the turn, his effort curls over the bar. The substitute has had two good chances since coming on but has missed the target on both occasions.

90' There will be five minutes of additional time.

S. Walukiewicz

F. Caputo

90' Empoli make another change, possibly looking to slow down the game and waste some time. Walukiewicz is coming on for Caputo.

E. Džeko

Yellow Card

89' Parisi rushes onto a poor ball forward from the Inter defence and runs through the middle of the pitch. Stopping the left-back, Dzeko trips him and receives a yellow card.

86' Since the start of last season, Guglielmo Vicario is the goalkeeper who has made the most saves (212) within the big five European leagues. Meanwhile, he is one of only two goalkeepers who have not missed a single match in Serie A in the period (56, along with Rui Patricio). He has faced just one shot on target today. However, with Inter throwing men forward, he might have to make a couple of stops in the final few minutes.

84' OVER! From the right, Calhanoglu's curling free-kick can only be cleared to Gosens on the left of the box. Shooting first time, his effort goes well over the bar.

83' Gosens collides with Ebuehi. The right-back clears the ball away and holds his face, with the Inter players unhappy with his reaction.

81' Onana is holding a high position with Inter flooding men forward looking for a goal. He finds Dzeko with a long pass forward, with the striker nodding it down to Lukaku. The substitute then looks to play it out wide to Bellanova, but his pass is intercepted.

79' Asllani slams the wall with a free-kick from distance.

78' BAR! De Vrij almost scores an equaliser. Getting onto the end of an inswinging corner from Asllani, the defender crashes the bar with the goalkeeper routed.

R. Lukaku

H. Mkhitaryan

76' A big cheer from the crowd with Lukaku making an entrance. Former Manchester United team-mate Mkhitaryan comes off in his place.

75' Dzeko has his first chance after coming on, with his volley from the left of the box going well wide.

J. Fazzini

N. Bajrami

74' Bajrami has an assist to his name and is now being replaced. Fazzini is given the responsibility to take his place for the final 17 minutes.

M. Satriano

L. Henderson

73' Empoli make another switch. Henderson is replaced by Satriano.

R. Gosens

F. Dimarco

71' Substitution on the left for Inter. After an impressive first 45 minutes, Dimarco has been quiet after the break. Gosens comes on.

K. Asllani

N. Barella

71' On a yellow card, Barella is replaced with Asllani coming on.

E. Džeko

M. Darmian

71' Inzaghi has seen enough and is making multiple changes. The first comes in the attack, with Dzeko now partnering with Martinez. Darmian is off.

70' Empoli have avoided defeat in their last 12 matches when scoring the opening goal in the Serie A dating back to 6th May 2022. However, that defeat was against Inter in a thrilling game that ended 4-2.

N. Barella

Yellow Card

68' Giving away a couple of free-kicks during the game, Barella is now in the book after complaining to the referee.

N. Bajrami

Assist

66' Bajrami gets the assist, waiting for the untracked run of Baldanzi who takes a couple of touches before finishing with power.

T. Baldanzi

Goal

66' GOALLLL! AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT FROM BALDANZI! 1-0 EMPOLI! What an introduction from the substitute. On the right, Bajrami cuts it back to Baldanzi on the edge of the box. Shooting low, his effort goes under the goalkeeper who is beaten by the power of the strike.

T. Baldanzi

N. Cambiaghi

64' Starting against Sampdoria for Empoli, Baldanzi is now on the pitch. Cambiaghi is given a rest.

62' Happy to press the Inter defence in the first half, Empoli have reduced the intensity after the break. Looking for a way through, Barella looks to hit a pass over the top of the defence to Martinez, but Luperto is there to head away.

60' Mkhitaryan rolls the tackle of Luperto, sliding a throughball towards Çalhanoğlu. However, the midfielder cannot get the ball under control and Empoli have possession.

58' On the right flank, Bellanova gets to the byline before crossing it past Bandinelli who looks to block. Finding Dimarco, it goes slightly beyond him, with his flicked attempt hitting Ebuehi. That was their 21st cross of the match, higher than their season average of 20.6 in the Serie A.

56' Empoli won their last league match 1-0 against Sampdoria, while they have not achieved back-to-back Serie A wins since December 2021 - the last time they recorded at least two clean sheets in a row in the tournament was in January 2017 (three).

54' Mkhitaryan gets space on the left corner of the Empoli box, shifting it into his right foot before lashing an attempt over.

52' A crucial interception from Darmian. De Vrij allows the ball to bounce over his head with Cambiaghi getting behind him. On the left flank, the Empoli man looks to slide the ball into the path of Caputo, but Darmian is there to turn it behind.

50' Bellanova is playing on the right side of the midfield with Darmian playing on the right of the three centre-backs. With Correa going off, Martinez is playing as a sole striker.

48' Caputo looks to spin past Darmian around the halfway line, but the defender clatters into him and gives away a free-kick. He is lucky to get away without a yellow card.

46' Inter get the game back under way.

R. Bellanova

J. Correa

46' Inter also make their first substitution. Correa is replaced by Bellanova.

N. Haas

J. Akpa Akpro

46' Empoli look to the bench for the first time. Haas replaces Akpro in the midfield who had received a yellow card before the break.

Before the sending-off, Inter had a clear way of attacking. With Empoli’s defenders holding a narrow position, they kept crossing the ball to Dimarco who would make late and untracked surges into the box. With the plan working, they must switch out Correa for Acerbi and allow Dimarco to keep making bursts into the box. As for Empoli, they should continue the way they have done in the attack. They have countered effectively when having the same amount of players as Inter, so must make the most of their advantage in numbers.

The game is goalless at the break with Skriniar shown a red card just before the interval. First booked for a tactical foul, the Inter defender received his second yellow card after his boot connected with the head of Caputo. Before Inter were reduced to 10 men, it was an even first 45 minutes. The home side started slowly with Cambiaghi forcing Onana into a smart stop before they gained control. Dimarco rifled an effort straight at Vicario before slamming the side netting moments later. Martinez then had a chance but put his shot over from close range. Making the most of their advantage, Empoli almost struck just before the break, but Caputo directed a header straight at the goalkeeper.

45' + 2' HALF-TIME: INTER 0-0 EMPOLI

F. Parisi

Yellow Card

45' + 1' Parisi is given a yellow card after pushing the face of Barella when trying to get away from the midfielder.

45' SAVED! Caputo should have done better. Free in the middle of the box, the striker gets on the end of Ebuehi's cross but directs his effort straight at the goalkeeper.

45' From a tight angle, Bajrami's powerful free-kick from the left flank goes straight into the hands of Onana.

44' Barella catches Parisi who turns past his just outside the box. The referee gives a free-kick with the midfield annoyed at the decision.

42' The resulting free-kick goes towards Ebuehi, but the right-back heads over and holds his head in his hands.

40' RED CARD FOR SKRINIAR! Possibly a huge moment in the game with Inter players protesting. Looking to clear the ball away, Skriniar's boot catches the head of Caputo who gets there first. The referee does not hesitate, getting out a second yellow card for the defender before showing the red.

39' A tame cross from Barella is cleared away by Akpro.

37' Barella lifts his hands into the air in frustration. On the edge, he cuts the ball back to Martinez. Wanting too much time in possession, Empoli get men behind the ball before blocking his attempt.

34' After a slow start, Inter are starting to take control of the game. Inside the box, Martinez looks to flick the ball into the path of Bastoni, missing it before succeeding on the second attempt. Next to the byline, his powerful cross is cleared away by Parisi.

32' OVER! Another chance for Inter to take the lead. On the right flank, Barella searches for Dimarco inside the box. From a tight angle, the Italian shapes to shoot before directing a pass back to Martinez who fires over.

J. Akpa Akpro

Yellow Card

31' Akpro is now in the book after sliding down Mkhitaryan from behind.

L. Henderson

Yellow Card

30' Henderson receives a yellow card after a push to the face. Inter broke free on the counter after an Empoli corner with the incident off the ball.

30' Akpro tries his luck from distance but strikes the ball straight at Onana.

29' Ebuehi plays a pass from left to right inside the Inter half, finding Akpro who plays a throughball to Caputo. Inside the box, he is forced to the byline before sending a low cross straight at Dimarco.

27' Dimarco's inswinging corner is punched away by Vicario. Calhanoglu collects it, dinking the ball to Bastoni who heads over unchallenged.

M. Škriniar

Yellow Card

25' The first yellow card of the game goes to Skriniar after the defender stops Empoli from going forward with a tactical foul.

24' For the third time, Inter look to go from right to left looking for Dimarco with a cross. Barella drives a cross towards him, with Dimarco crashing his shot against the side of the net.

23' De Vrij switches possession out to the right towards Darmian who goes back to Barella. However, his cross goes over everyone with nobody there to attack it.

21' Barella tries his luck on the edge after Martinez slides the ball into his path, but his strike is blocked.

20' SAVE! Inter have their first shot of the game. On the right flank, Darmian sets the ball back to Calhanoglu who sails the ball over the Empoli defenders. Unmarked on the left, Dimarco drives a volley towards the goal, but it is blocked by the goalkeeper.

18' Getting space on the edge of the box, Caputo shifts the ball onto his left foot before seeing his strike deflect wide of the post. De Vrij and Skriniar both tried to get in the way of his shot.

16' Pressing high up the pitch, Dimarco almost made the most of a weak pass by Ebuehi. Going back to his goalkeeper, Vicario rushes towards the ball to clear it away.

14' Empoli have remained unbeaten in three of their last five Serie A meetings against Inter in January, thanks to a 1-0 success in 2004 and two draws in 1998 and 2015. They have been the better side so far.

12' Ebuehi curls the ball over the top of the Inter defence towards Cambiaghi. He gets behind De Vrij and Bastoni but shoots straight at the goalkeeper from a narrow-angle. Onana should collect it with ease but pushes it wide.

11' Calhanoglu breaks into the Empoli half and is brought down by Akpro. The midfielder wants a free-kick, but referee Antonio Rapuano allows the game to continue.

9' Calhanoglu looks to curl a powerful free-kick into the box from the left, but it is cleared away before it could reach an Inter team-mate.

8' Bastoni clears the ball down the middle of the pitch with Martinez looking to get onto the end of it. Cambiaghi gets across and wins possession. If the Argentine striker anticipated the ball getting past the Empoli midfield, he would have had a chance of running through on goal, but reacted late.

6' Outside the Empoli box, Darmian pokes the ball away from Parisi, but cannot get on the end of his own tackle and it rolls back to the goalkeeper.

4' Empoli have started brightly. They have looked to put pressure on Inter's defence, forcing them into mistakes. As a result, they have won possession in advanced areas, but have not been able to capitalise.

2' Bandinelli switches the play from left to right, finding Cambiaghi who controls it well. Entering the box, his low cross is cleared away by De Vrij.

1' Empoli get this Serie A clash under way.

Inter have won each of their last nine Serie A matches against Empoli, with an aggregate score of 20-7; overall, the last victory by the Tuscan team against the Nerazzurri dates back to 30 April 2006 (1-0 with a Marco Materazzi own goal).

As for Empoli, Zanetti makes four alterations to the team that beat Sampdoria. Out through injury, centre-back Ardian Ismajli is replaced by De Winter. In the middle of the midfield, Bajrami starts instead of Razvan Marin who is suspended. Baldanzi and Satriano also drop to the bench with Henderson and Cambiaghi both starting.

Inter make two changes to the team that beat Milan in the Italian Super Cup. The first comes in the middle of the defence, with De Vrij replacing Acerbi. Keeping the same midfield, Inzaghi’s other switch is in the attack. Partnering with Martinez, Correa is preferred ahead of Dzeko who scored last time out.

EMPOLI SUBS: Samuele Perisan, Samir Ujkani, Liberato Cacace, Sebastian Walukiewicz, Martín Satriano, Duccio Degli Innocenti, Jacopo Fazzini, Petar Stojanovic, Nicolas Haas, Tommaso Baldanzi, Gabriele Guarino, Herculano Nabian.

EMPOLI (4-3-1-2): Guglielmo Vicario; Tyronne Ebuehi, Koni de Winter, Sebastiano Luperto, Fabiano Parisi; Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro, Nedim Bajrami, Filippo Bandinelli; Liam Henderson; Nicolo Cambiaghi, Francesco Caputo.

INTER SUBS: Alex Cordaz, Gabriel Brazao, Denzel Dumfries, Roberto Gagliardini, Robin Gosens, Edin Dzeko, Raoul Bellanova, Kristjan Asllani, Francesco Acerbi, Danilo D'Ambrosio, Dennis Curatolo, Valentín Carboni, Mattia Zanotti, Romelu Lukaku.

INTER (3-5-2): Andre Onana; Milan Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni; Matteo Darmian, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Federico Dimarco; Joaquin Correa, Lautaro Martinez.

Empoli started their Serie A campaign slowly, winning just one of their first nine games, but have moved away from the relegation zone after a good run of form. Securing 11 points in the last six games, Paolo Zanetti's team collected three wins, with their only defeat coming against Napoli. Currently in 12th place, Empoli will move above Bologna and Fiorentina and into the top half of the table with a win. However, it will be a tough task, with Inter winning 93 per cent of their home games against them in Serie A (14: W13 L1).

Inter return to Serie A action after thumping rivals Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana, with goals from Federico Dimarco, Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez helping them retain the trophy. Impressing after the World Cup, Simone Inzaghi’s side beat league leaders Napoli in their first game of the year before a 2-2 draw with Monza and a narrow victory against Hellas Verona. Unbeaten in five league outings, Inter are 13 points off the top and will move into second place with a win.

Hello and welcome to the live commentary for the Serie A clash between Inter and Empoli at San Siro.

Internazionale v Empoli Live Commentary, 23/01/2023

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