Empoli conquered San Siro thanks to Baldanzi’s goal in the second half. Inter’s game was made more difficult due to Skriniar’s red card in the first half.
First half
Empoli started the game on the right foot, putting Inter under pressure and creating the first dangerous occasion of the night. Cambiraghi stopped a difficult, long ball and shot. Onana was ready and saved, though.
Empoli kept pushing and attempted to score first. However, Inter also scared Empoli’s defense with Dimarco, who tried to score with a volley, but Vicario saved it.
Inter increased the rhythm as time passed and created two occasions, first with Lautaro and then with Bastoni, who crossed the ball but did not find anyone inside the box.
Empoli could not play as much as at the start, while Inter was pushing to score. However, in minute 40, Skriniar received the second yellow and was sent off by the referee, putting Inter in trouble.
Second half
Bellanova was subbed in replacing Correa at the start of the second half due to Skriniar’s red card early on.
Inter struggled to play due to having one man less, and Empoli pushed forward. Cambiraghi sent a low cross inside the box for Caputo, but Darmian made an incredibly important save and cleared the box.
Empoli had a double occasion. First, Bajrami shot from the left, finding Onana ready, then Henderson attempted from the distance, but his shot was too central.
In minute 66, Baldanzi, who was just subbed in, fired a shot that Onana could not stop and finished inside the goal, making it 0-1.
Inter tried to respond back with Dzeko, whose volley finished wide, though. The Nerazzurri kept pushing and De Vrij hit the post with a header after a corner kick.
Empoli tried to exploit a counterattack to score the second goal, however, Caputo’s header finished high.
Gosens had a good occasion in minute 84, but his shot from close range finished high.
Inter was besieging Empoli at the end of the second half. However, there was nothing the Nerazzuri could do to tie the game.
