Inter.it

Minute	Text commentary
47'	Paparesta sends the teams into the changing rooms. Inter 0-0 Empoli.
45'	There will be 2 minutes of added time.
45'	Cruz curls his free kick over the wall and into the hands of Luca Bucci.
44'	Emre is fouled five metres outside the Empoli box after a two-footed tackle by Ficini.
43'	With Busce' hot on his heels, Pasquale makes a timely clearance.
42'	In his own penalty area, Empoli forward Di Natale smashes clear to prevent Cruz from getting on the end of a cross.
41'	Javier Zanetti's shot from van der Meyde's pass takes a deflection, then the Dutchman's second cross goes out for a corner.
39'	Grella plays a crossfield pass to Busce', who is caught offside.
39'	Cordoba blasts clear to deny Rocchi a shot from Di Natale's left-wing cross.
37'	It's Vannucchi's turn to be booed by the crowd for exaggerating after a challenge by Adani.
36'	It's time for the fingerless gloves as the temperature drops at the San Siro.
35'	Di Natale is booed by the Meazza faithful after going down following a legitimate challenge by our captain.
33'	Van der Meyde comes off for treatment after being elbowed in the ribs by Grella.
32'	Wizardry from Emre on the edge of the box has he nine-man Empoli defence in difficulty. The Turk then plays to Cruz in the box. The Argentine loses control momentarily then plays to Martins. Bucci catches.
30'	Cruz takes the ball to the left-wing by-line then cuts back for van der Meyde, who just fails to make contact.
28'	Di Natale receives on the left, traps the ball with the outside of his right foot then cuts inside Zanetti before shooting wide of the far post.
27'	Corner to Empoli after Di Natale's low shot from outside the Nerazzurri box comes off Zanetti. Toldo catches Vannucchi's set piece.
24'	Magnificent play by Emre, who after a one-two with Cruz fires a diagonal shot not far wide of Bucci's right-hand post.
23'	Empoli captain Ficini makes a sliding tackle on Almeyda in midfield. Free kick.
22'	Our Dutchman is flying this afternoon. Andy van der Meyde nutmegs Lucchini then wins a right-wing corner.
21'	Vannucchi sets up Grella, who from a position just outside the Inter box slices his shot. It takes a deflection and Perotti's men win a right-wing corner kick.
20'	Emre turns an opponent then plays low into the Empoli box, where van der Meyde fails to make contact.
19'	Good chance for us. Unmarked in the six-yard box, Cordoba just fails to make contact with a left-wing cross.
18'	Van der Meyde picks out Pasquale on the left wing. The wing-back crosses over to the far post, where Lucchini concedes a corner.
17'	Ten metres inside the Empoli half, Cruz plays a long ball into the penalty area. It's too long for Martins and Bucci collects.
16'	Inter win a corner after Cruz presses Vargas on the right-wing by-line. Adani's header from Emre's corner kick goes over the Empoli crossbar.
15'	Vannucchi falls after a challenge with Almeyda in the Empoli half. Free kick to the Tuscans.
14'	Emre's pass wide to Pasquale comes off Busce'. Throw-in to us on the left wing.
13'	Adani makes a crucial tackle on Rocchi to deny the Empoli striker a shot on goal.
12'	Great play by Inter. Van der Meyde takes on an opponent on the left then plays square to Almeyda. The midfielder crosses to Cruz, whose shot takes a deflection. Corner.
11'	Toldo saves from Rocchi, whose shot from the edge of the Nerazzurri box is too central.
10'	Rocchi picks up the ball on the left after a right-wing cross from Vannucchi.
9'	Daniele Adani plays a long ball forward for Martins, but the Empoli defence get there first.
8'	Di Natale sends a low shot wide of Toldo's right-hand post after receiving a pass from Vannucchi.
7'	From the left wing Pasquale plays a high ball into the Empoli box. Luca Bucci catches.
7'	Cruz tries from the distance. His shot is blocked by Belleri.
6'	Superb wing play by van der Meyde, who picks up the ball from Almeyda then beats two opponents before winning a throw-in.
5'	Ref Paparesta gives Empoli a free kick after a duel between van der Meyde and Lucchini on the right-wing by-line.
4'	Cordoba beats Di Natale to a through ball and plays calmly back to Toldo.
1'	Welcome to a rainy San Siro for Inter v Empoli. Paparesta blows his whistle, and the Nerazzurri kick off. FORZA INTER!!!!!!!!
1'	Emre loses the ball in midfield, then Di Natale wins a duel with J.Zanetti before playing forward. Inter win a goal kick.

Minute	Text commentary
50'	Full time. Inter 0-1 Empoli.
49'	Di Natale tries to lob Toldo but his shot finishes well wide.
46'	Empoli take the lead. Tavani takes on Brechet then plays into the six-yard box, where Rocchi slots past Toldo.
45'	5 minutes of added time to play.
45'	Oba Martins shows superb ball control in the Empoli box but is immediately surrounded by three white shirts.
42'	Inter substitution: Almeyda off, Lamouchi on.
42'	Brechet heads wide from Pasquale's cross.
39'	With a first time shot from outside the Nerazzurri box Di Natale hits the crossbar.
39'	Empoli make their third switch: Cappellini replaces Vannucchi.
37'	From Farinos' right-wing corner Oba Martins outjumps the Empoli defence and heads wide.
36'	Good chance for Empoli. Di Natale turns Cordoba then shoots wide of the far post.
34'	Javier Zanetti receives a short pass from Farinos then fires wide of Bucci's left-hand post.
33'	Cruz heads wide from Farinos' corner kick.
33'	Busce' makes a last-gasp clearance to deny Cruz a shot into an open goal.
31'	Perotti brings on Pratali for the injured Belleri.
30'	Belleri clutches his right shin after a challenge with Martins and requires treatment.
29'	Cribari is yellow-carded for fouling Martins.
28'	Empoli substitution: Tavano on, Lucchini off.
27'	Oba Martins is caught offside as he races onto Jeremie Brechet's through ball.
25'	Farinos picks out Pasquale on the left wing. He crosses into the Empoli box, where Bucci catches.
24'	Cruz handles the ball on the left wing. Paparesta awards Empoli a free kick.
23'	Lucchini brings down Cordoba on the right wing. Paparesta gives no free kick.
21'	Busce' is sent flying by Brechet. Free kick to Empoli on the right wing.
19'	Farinos comes on for van der Meyde.
19'	Zac brings off Adani. On comes Jeremie Brechet.
17'	Emre is booked after protesting with Paparesta, then seconds later is shown a red card.
15'	Gamarra plays an excellent ball over the Empoli defence. With just Bucci to beat Cruz fails to make clean contact.
14'	Almeyda and van der Meyde jump at the far post to meet Cordoba's left-wing cross. Goal kick to Empoli.
13'	Pasquale heads back to Toldo to deny an onrushing Busce'.
12'	Gamarra fouls Rocchi inside the Empoli half. Free kick to the visitors.
12'	Toldo gets down and saves from Di Natale's cross-shot from the left.
10'	Free kick to Empoli after Pasquale fouls Busce' on the left-wing by-line.
9'	Emre's shot from 25 yards takes a deflection off Ficini and goes out for a right-wing corner.
8'	Oba heads over the bar from Cruz's right-wing cross.
7'	Cordoba is yellow-carded for a dangerous challenge on Di Natale.
6'	Almeyda crosses in from the right. Unmarked in front of goal, Martins heads wide.
5'	Pasquale plays an excellent ball into the Empoli box. At full stretch, Martins only just fails to make contact.
4'	Pasquale plays a short pass forward to Cruz on the left wing. The Argentine is intercepted.
3'	Cribari clears from Emre's right-wing cross.
3'	Ivan Ramiro Cordoba storms down the right wing and wins a throw-in.
2'	Almeyda's pass forward to Martins is intercepted by Cribari.
1'	Empoli get the second half underway. FORZA NERAZZURRI!!!

Zanetti	4.94 4.94
Cordoba	4.39 4.39
Farinos	3.91 3.91
Emre	3.96 3.96
Toldo	4.71 4.71
Pasquale	4.15 4.15
Almeyda	4.47 4.47
Gamarra	4.6 4.6
Adani	4.58 4.58
Martins	4.05 4.05
Lamouchi	3.88 3.88
Van Der Meyde	4.59 4.59
Brechet	3.65 3.65
Cruz	4.24 4.24
Average rating	4.3

2	shots on target	3
10	shots off target	7
16	fouls committed	9
11	corners	2
2	offsides	6
37:04	ball possession	23:43

Inter v Empoli

          In Milan   In Empoli  Tot. 
	
 
Matches played	9	9	18 
 
Inter victories	9	5	14 
 
Draws	0	3	3 
 
Empoli victories	0	1	1 
 
Inter goals	23	13	36 
 
Empoli goals 	5	8	13

Perotti v Inter

Current Empoli coach Perotti has recorded 2 wins, a draw and a defeat from his 4 official matches against Inter.

In detail:

2000/01 Serie A Verona-Inter 2-2 0-2
2002/03 C. Italia Bari-Inter 1-0 2-1

Zaccheroni v Empoli

Alberto Zaccheroni has won 3, drawn 2 and lost 2 (both 1-0) of his 7 matches against the Tuscans. The current Nerazzurri coach has never lost in home matches against Empoli (3 wins and a draw).

In detail:

1990/91 Serie C1 Venezia-Empoli 2-0 0- 1
1993/94 Serie C1 Bologna-Empoli 1-0 ----
1997/98 Serie A Udinese-Empoli 2-2 0-1
1998/99 Serie A AC Milan-Empoli 4-0 1-1

Zaccheroni v Perotti

The current Inter and Empoli coaches meet for the fifth time, with a win apiece and 2 draws from the previous 4 matches. Perotti won the only match awy to Zaccheroni.

In detail:

1991/92 Serie B Venezia-Cesena ---- 0-0
1994/95 Serie B Cosenza-Ancona 0-1 2-1
2000/01 Serie A AC Milan-Verona ---- 1-1

100 Serie A matches for Lamouchi

If he plays against the Tuscans, Sabri Lamouchi will complete a century of appearances in the Italian Serie A, in which he has scored 8 goals. The French midfielder made his debut in Parma 2-2 Fiorentina on 1 October 2000. Apart from the Gialloblu, the other club Lamouchi has played for in Italy is Inter.

Better average under Zac than Cuper

According to the statistics, the change of coach at Inter has had a positive effect. When Cuper was fired, Inter had collected 9 points from 6 matches, a points per match average of 1.5. Under Zaccheroni, the Nerazzurri have played 10 matches and won 22 points, an average of 2.2 per match. That's 0.7 better than under Cuper.

Adani and Empoli

Daniele Adani counts Empoli as one of the three sides he has scored most against. He has scored twice against the Tuscans (one goal in Brescia v Empoli in 1997/98 and the other last year in Empoli v Inter. The Nerazzurri defender has also scored twice against Monza and Dynamo Kiev.

Inter’s defensive solidity

Inter have never had such a positive defensive record at the halfway point of a Serie A season since three points were awarded for a victory (from 1994/95 to today). So far this term, the Nerazzurri have let in 11 goals, compared to 14 under Ottavio Bianchi in 1994/95.

Empoli and penalties

Empoli haven't been awarded a penalty for 40 championship rounds. Their last spot kick was in Empoli 4-2 Reggina on 17 November 2002, when Rocchi converted from 11 metres. Since then the remaining 24 rounds of the 2002/03 have passed plus the first 16 of the current campaign.

Italian ton for Cribari

If selected to face Inter, Cribari will celebrate one hundred official matches in Italy. The Empoli defender has played 44 games in the Serie A, 43 in the Serie B (2 goals) and 12 in the Italian Cup. His debut was in the domestic cup: Empoli 2-0 Lumezzane on 22 August 1999.

Empoli improving under Perotti

Similarly to Inter, the change of coach at Empoli seems to have worked. Former boss Baldini managed 2 points from the first 6 matches of the current season (an average of 0.33 points per match), while Perotti has notched 7 points in 10 games. In terms of goals let in, Empoli conceded 17 in their first 6 matches (2.83 per game), then 13 in the successive 10 Serie A fixtures (1.30 per match).

DA IMPLEMENTARE

wins(14) draws(0) defeats(2)

1 April 2024	2-0	6' Dimarco, 81' Sanchez,	fixture
23 January 2023	0-1	68' Baldanzi,	fixture
6 May 2022	4-2	5' Pinamonti, 28' Asllani, 41' Romagnoli(Aut), 45' Martínez, 66' Martínez, 96' Sanchez,	fixture
26 May 2019	2-1	51' Balde, 76' Traore, 81' Nainggolan,	fixture
12 February 2017	2-0	14' Eder, 56' Candreva,	fixture
7 May 2016	2-1	12' Icardi, 37' Pucciarelli, 40' Perisic,	fixture
31 May 2015	4-3	51' Palacio, 55' Icardi, 61' Mchedlidze, 64' Pucciarelli, 72' Brozovic, 80' Icardi, 90' Mchedlidze,	fixture
3 February 2008	1-0	34' Ibrahimovic (Rig)	fixture
29 April 2007	3-1	60' Saudati, 62' Recoba, 63' Stankovic, 28' Cruz	fixture
21 December 2005	4-1	3' Adriano, 69' Vannucchi, 72' Figo, 90' Martins, 50' Cruz	fixture
18 January 2004	0-1	94' Rocchi	fixture
26 January 2003	3-0	70' Vieri, 74' Vieri, 85' Vieri	fixture
7 February 1999	5-1	8' Baggio, 17' Simeone, 36' Rig. Djorkaeff, 57' Carparelli, 66' Djorkaeff, 91' Djorkaeff	fixture
16 May 1998	4-1	23' Colonnese, 32' Aut. Fusco, 62' Rig. Ronaldo, 72' Ronaldo, 79' Cappellini	fixture
27 September 1987	2-0	72' Serena, 86' Altobelli
18 January 1987	2-1	41' Matteoli, 70' Mandorkini, 90' Ekstrom

MILAN - It's now three matches without a win or a goal as Inter were beaten 1-0 by Empoli at the San Siro on Sunday afternoon.

Despite enjoying more ball possession than their opponents, Inter couldn't find a way past a nine-man defence, and the Nerazzurri's cause wasn't helped when Emre Belozoglu was (perhaps undeservedly) sent off by Paparesta on 62 minutes for protesting.

Zaccheroni's side fell foul to a Tuscan counter-attack in added time at the end of the second period. Tavani turned Brechet on the right wing with an excellent piece of skill then played into the six-yard box where Rocchi slotted past a blameless Toldo.

Inter host Udinese in the Tim Cup quarter-final return leg at 17:30 on Wednesday.

Match facts:

INTER 0-1 EMPOLI (ht: 0-0)

Scorer: Rocchi 90'+1'

INTER: Toldo, Cordoba, J. Zanetti, Emre, Van der Meyde (Farinos 63'), Cruz, Adani (Brechet 64'), Gamarra, Almeyda (Lamouchi 87'), Pasquale, Martins
Subs not used: Fontana, Helveg, Karagounis, Eliakwu
Coach: Zaccheroni

EMPOLI: Bucci, Cribari, Belleri (Pratali 76'), Di Natale, Grella, Rocchi, Lucchini (Tavano 73'), Ficini, Vargas, Buscè, Vannucchi (Cappellini 84')
Subs not used: Cassano, P. Zanetti, Foggia, Giampieretti
Coach: Perotti

Referee: Paparesta

Booked: Cordoba 52', Emre 62', Cribari 74'

Sent off: Emre 62'

starting lineups

Toldo 1	Bucci
Cordoba 2	Cribari
Zanetti 4	Belleri
Emre 5	Di Natale
Van Der Meyde 7	Grella
Cruz 9	Rocchi
Adani 15	Lucchini
Gamarra 24	Ficini
Almeyda 25	Vargas
Pasquale 26	Buscè
Martins 30	Vannucchi

substitutes

Fontana 12	Cassano
Lamouchi 8	P. Zanetti
Helveg 13	Pratali
Farinos 14	Tavano
Karagounis 19	Foggia
Brechet 31	Giampieretti
Eliakwu 33	Cappellini

Final score

18 January 2004 15:00

starting lineups

substitutes