Inter Milan will aim to keep their title credentials alive when they welcome Empoli on Sunday evening.
On Sunday evening, Inter Milan will host Empoli at San Siro as they look to bounce back from a disappointing midweek draw. The reigning Serie A champions remain in a tight title race, but defensive frailties have left Simone Inzaghi’s men with room for improvement. Meanwhile, Empoli are battling to stay above the drop zone and face a daunting schedule that could define their season.
Inter Milan missed an opportunity to close the gap on league leaders Napoli in their midweek clash with Bologna, where a 2-2 draw frustrated fans and players alike. Goals from Denzel Dumfries and Lautaro Martinez had put Inter in the driver’s seat, but a second-half equalizer exposed defensive issues that have plagued the team this season.
The Nerazzurri have now conceded 12 goals at San Siro in the current campaign — more than their total at home throughout last season. However, their attacking form remains potent, having scored in 32 consecutive league matches at home. Lautaro Martinez continues to lead from the front, while Dumfries has been enjoying a purple patch of form.
Inter still find themselves in contention for the Scudetto alongside Napoli and Atalanta, and their record against Empoli provides plenty of confidence. Having won 13 of their last 14 league meetings with the Tuscans, history is firmly on Inter’s side.
Empoli’s trip to San Siro comes at a difficult time, as Roberto D’Aversa’s side has lost five of their last seven league matches, including a damaging 3-1 home defeat to Lecce last weekend. Early goals proved costly against Lecce, and while Liberato Cacace scored to give Empoli hope, a late strike sealed their fate.
The Tuscan outfit has now fallen precariously close to the relegation zone, just two points clear, and will face a brutal run of fixtures in the coming weeks. Empoli have struggled against the league’s top teams, with Inter being one of their toughest opponents historically. They have lost 26 of their 33 Serie A clashes with the Nerazzurri, conceding 69 goals in the process.
While D’Aversa has brought some energy to the team since his appointment, Empoli’s defensive and offensive inconsistencies are glaring, making this trip to Lombardy an uphill battle. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Inter Milan
Inter Milan will welcome back Henrikh Mkhitaryan for this weekend’s clash against Empoli, providing a much-needed boost to Simone Inzaghi’s squad. Veteran defender Francesco Acerbi is also nearing a return from a lengthy injury layoff and could make the bench.
However, Inter are still grappling with several notable absences, as Yann Bisseck, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Joaquin Correa remain sidelined due to thigh injuries. Additionally, wantaway midfielder Davide Frattesi is training individually as he recovers from a muscular issue, leaving him doubtful for selection.
Simone Inzaghi may opt for some rotation, given the team’s midweek draw and their upcoming UEFA Champions League trip to Prague. Despite this, Lautaro Martinez is expected to start alongside Marcus Thuram in attack. Martinez, who has been inconsistent this season, will aim to find the net in consecutive league games at San Siro for the first time since February.
The midfield trio is likely to feature Nicolo Barella, Kristjan Asllani, and the returning Mkhitaryan, while Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco are set to provide width and offensive support from the wing-back positions. At the back, Benjamin Pavard, Stefan de Vrij, and Carlos Augusto are expected to form the defensive trio, with Yann Sommer in goal.
Inter’s probable lineup in a 3-5-2 formation will feature Yann Sommer as the goalkeeper. The back three will consist of Benjamin Pavard, Stefan de Vrij, and Carlos Augusto, providing stability at the heart of the defence. Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco will operate as wing-backs, adding both defensive coverage and attacking flair.
In midfield, Nicolo Barella and Kristjan Asllani will be joined by Henrikh Mkhitaryan to create a balanced and dynamic unit. Up front, Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram will lead the line, tasked with breaking down Empoli’s defence and securing a crucial three points for the Nerazzurri.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, De Vrij, Augusto; Dumfries, Barella, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram
Empoli FC
Empoli will rely on a striking partnership featuring AC Milan loanee Lorenzo Colombo and Inter-owned forward Sebastiano Esposito as they head to San Siro. Esposito, who has already found the net six times in away games this season — tying him with Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui for the joint-most in Serie A — will be eager to make an impression against his parent club.
Colombo will also aim to contribute against Inter’s formidable defence, adding an element of unpredictability to Empoli’s attack. Devis Vasquez is expected to reclaim his spot between the posts after his surprising omission in the match against Lecce.
However, the Tuscan side continues to be plagued by injuries, with Tino Anjorin and Ola Solbakken joining a lengthy list of absentees that includes Pietro Pellegri, Nicolas Haas, Saba Sazonov, and Tyronne Ebuehi. Despite these challenges, Empoli will look to exploit their attacking options and resilience against the reigning Serie A champions.
In their probable 3-5-1-1 formation, Devis Vasquez is set to start as the goalkeeper, supported by a back three comprising Saba Goglichidze, Ardian Ismajli, and Mattia Viti. The midfield will be bolstered by wide players Emmanuel Gyasi and Giuseppe Pezzella, with Liam Henderson, Alberto Grassi, and Liberato Cacace providing additional control in central areas.
Sebastiano Esposito will occupy the creative role just behind Lorenzo Colombo, who will spearhead the attack. This setup will aim to combine defensive solidity with quick counter-attacks to unsettle Inter’s defence.
Probable Lineup (3-5-1-1): Vasquez; Goglichidze, Ismajli, Viti; Gyasi, Henderson, Grassi, Cacace, Pezzella; Esposito; Colombo
Key Stats
- Inter Milan are Empoli’s toughest opponent in Serie A, having defeated them 26 times in 33 matches. The Nerazzurri have also scored the most goals (69) against the Tuscan side, while Empoli have managed only four wins and three draws.
- Inter Milan have won 13 of their last 14 league encounters with Empoli, scoring 29 goals in the process — an average of 2.1 goals per game. The only win for Empoli during this period was a 1-0 triumph at San Siro on January 23, 2023, thanks to Tommaso Baldanzi’s goal.
- In their 16 Serie A clashes at San Siro, there has never been a draw between the two sides. Inter have won 14 of those games, while Empoli have only managed two victories. The only team against whom Inter have more home games without a draw in Serie A is Lecce (19).
- After their 2-2 draw with Bologna, Inter conceded as many goals in that single match as they did in their previous nine league outings combined. If they fail to win against Empoli, it would mark the first time this season that Inter have drawn consecutive games in Serie A—something that last occurred at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
- The Nerazzurri have now conceded 12 goals in 10 home matches this season (1.2 goals per game), already surpassing the total number of goals they allowed at San Siro during the whole of last season (11 goals in 19 matches — 0.6 goals per game). This highlights a relative dip in their home defensive solidity.
Player to Watch
Lautaro Martinez
The Argentine forward has been in consistent form, leading the line with energy, precision, and clinical finishing. Known for his ability to score in a variety of ways — whether through headers, powerful strikes, or precise finishes — Martinez also offers exceptional off-the-ball movement and the ability to link up with his teammates.
Against Empoli, Martinez’s role will be critical, especially given Inter’s desire to capitalise on their dominance over the Tuscan side. With 10 Serie A goals already this season, “El Toro” will aim to add to his tally and make a significant impact in front of the San Siro crowd. Having scored in the midweek draw against Bologna, he will look to find the net in consecutive home matches for the first time this season and inspire Inter to another important victory in their title pursuit.
Prediction
Inter Milan 3-0 Empoli FC
Given Inter Milan’s superior firepower and historical dominance over Empoli, the home side will be heavy favourites to take all three points. Expect Lautaro Martinez to spearhead the attack effectively, with Denzel Dumfries and other attacking threats exploiting Empoli’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Empoli’s lack of confidence and form against top teams will likely see them struggle to compete. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for Simone Inzaghi and his charges.