Match report

Inter Defeats Empoli 2-1 in Serie A Clash

Inter
Inter
2–1
FT
Empoli
Empoli
May 26, 2019

Inter held off a resilient Empoli side to secure a 2-1 victory in their Serie A clash. The Nerazzurri took the lead through K. Balde, who capitalized on an assist from Matteo Politano in the 51st minute. Empoli responded with a goal from H. J. Traore, but R. Nainggolan's late strike ensured Inter's win, dealing a blow to Empoli's hopes in the competition.

Key Facts

  • • Inter defeated Empoli 2-1 in Serie A
  • • K. Balde scored the opening goal (51st minute)
  • • H. J. Traore equalized for Empoli (76th minute)
  • • R. Nainggolan scored the winning goal (81st minute)
  • • Empoli's Filippo Perucchini was sent off in the 90th minute

Lineups

Inter

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 S. Handanovič (G)
  • 18 K. Asamoah (D)
  • 6 S. de Vrij (D)
  • 33 D. D'Ambrosio (D)
  • 37 M. Škriniar (D)
  • 44 I. Perišić (M)
  • 14 R. Nainggolan (M)
  • 8 M. Vecino (M)
  • 77 M. Brozović (M)
  • 9 M. Icardi (F)
  • 16 M. Politano (M)

Substitutes

  • 11 K. Baldé
  • 10 Lautaro Martínez
  • 29 Dalbert Henrique
  • 20 Borja Valero
  • 23 João Miranda
  • 27 D. Padelli
  • 5 R. Gagliardini
  • 13 A. Ranocchia
  • 15 João Mário
  • 87 A. Candreva
  • 21 Cédric Soares

Empoli

Formation: 3-1-4-2

Starting XI

  • 69 B. Drągowski (G)
  • 26 M. Silvestre (D)
  • 22 D. Maietta (D)
  • 2 G. Di Lorenzo (M)
  • 39 C. Dell'Orco (D)
  • 18 A. Acquah (M)
  • 6 M. Pajač (M)
  • 10 I. Bennacer (M)
  • 8 H. Traorè (M)
  • 11 F. Caputo (F)
  • 17 Diego Farias (F)

Substitutes

  • 48 S. Uçan
  • 4 M. Brighi
  • 43 D. Nikolaou
  • 28 L. Capezzi
  • 23 M. Pasqual
  • 21 F. Perucchini
  • 32 J. Rasmussen
  • 7 L. Mchedlidze
  • 37 D. Oberlin
  • 1 I. Provedel
  • 5 F. Veseli

Timeline

  1. Inter
    46' Inter subst · Substitution 1
    Off: K. Asamoah · On: K. Balde
  2. Inter
    51' Inter Goal · Normal Goal
    K. Balde · Assist: Matteo Politano
  3. Inter
    52' Inter Card · Yellow Card
    K. Balde
  4. Empoli
    64' Empoli Card · Yellow Card
    M. Pajač
  5. Empoli
    71' Empoli subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Acquah · On: M. Brighi
  6. Empoli
    71' Empoli subst · Substitution 1
    Off: D. Maietta · On: S. Uçan
  7. Inter
    72' Inter Card · Yellow Card
    Ivan Perišić
  8. Inter
    74' Inter subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Ivan Perišić · On: Dalbert Henrique
  9. Empoli
    76' Empoli Goal · Normal Goal
    H. J. Traore · Assist: S. Uçan
  10. Inter
    81' Inter Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Nainggolan
  11. Empoli
    90' Empoli Card · Yellow Card
    F. Caputo
  12. Empoli
    90' Empoli Card · Red Card
    Filippo Perucchini

Match Stats

Stat Inter Empoli
Fouls 11 9
Pass Accuracy 88% 82%
Offsides 2 0
Red Cards 1 —
Total Shots 28 12
Corners 8 2
Total Passes 463 417
Yellow Cards 4 2
Blocked Shots 4 3
Shots on Target 14 4
Shots off Target 10 5
Possession 52% 48%
Accurate Passes 408 343
Shots Inside Box 12 9
Saves 3 12
Shots Outside Box 16 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Inter's early goal by K. Balde set the tone for the match, providing them with the lead they needed to control the game
  • ▸ Empoli's red card in the 90th minute to Filippo Perucchini turned the momentum in Inter's favor, securing their victory