Inter come from behind to stun Empoli

MILAN – Inter produced a stunning comeback to move to the top of Serie A ahead of city rivals AC Milan thanks to a 4-2 victory over Empoli in which the Nerazzurri bounced back from falling two goals behind in a frantic first half. An own goal, brace by Lautaro Martinez and stoppage-time tap-in by Alexis Sanchez ensured Simone Inzaghi’s side claimed all three points in front of a huge 70,000 crowd at San Siro.

A rollercoaster first half at San Siro saw Empoli race into a two-goal lead before getting pegged back by the hosts in dramatic fashion as the half-time whistle approached. The atmosphere was superb throughout, while errors, an incredible tifo, bravery, passion, goals and big refereeing decisions all played their part.

There were 70,000 fans in attendance for the slightly unusual kick-off time of 18:45 CEST under a grey sky that had already left the pitch rainswept. Empoli arrived in Milan safe and full of confidence, ready to spring a surprise, as they so nearly did in the Coppa Italia a few months ago. Simone Inzaghi kept faith with Federico Dimarco, brought Hakan Calhanoglu back into the line-up and chose Joaquin Correa to partner Lautaro Martinez.

To say the early stages did not go to plan would be an understatement. After just five minutes, Inter found themselves a goal behind when loanee Andrea Pinamonti poked the visitors ahead against his parent club. Curiously, the forward bagged his only goal for the Nerazzurri in the very same net a year ago against Sampdoria. The goal stemmed from a run by Szymon Zurkowski down the right and a fine finish by the Italian.

The Nerazzurri needed a few minutes to recover, but were saved from falling two goals behind by an offside decision against Pinamonti before Zurkowski stuck the ball in the net.

Even though the scoreline remained 1-0, there were still doubts circulating around the stadium. Nicolo Barella tried to drive the team forward, with penetrating runs, shots and pinpoint passing. Milan Skriniar and Lautaro also had efforts on goal, but Denzel Dumfries went closest when his shot across goal was brilliantly kept out by Vicario. Barella was then brought down in the box by Fabiano Parisi, only for Manganiello to reverse his initial decision to award a spot-kick after an on-field review.

With 28 minutes on the clock, Inter suffered another body blow when Riccardo Fiamozzi’s ball over the top was controlled by Kristjan Asllani and slotted home through Samir Handanovic’s legs. The 2-0 deficit was hard to swallow and took the San Siro faithful by surprise, but the team bounced back quickly despite some refereeing decisions that didn’t go Inter’s way.

The Tuscans’ goalkeeper’s resistance seemed unwavering, with Guglielmo Vicario invoking memories of his performance for Cagliari at the same stadium last season. The wall was eventually broken down in the 40th minute when Simone Romagnoli diverted Federico Dimarco’s powerful low cross beyond the goalkeeper into his own net. The own goal electrified San Siro and Inzaghi’s side immediately pressed for an equaliser. Barella went close before Lautaro thundered a right-footed shot past Vicario on the stroke of half time after yet another Calhanoglu assist (his 11th of the season). 

Perisic could’ve put the hosts ahead in the third minute of stoppage time, but the two teams went in level at the break.

As the second half progressed, Dumfries, Perisic and Barella all had efforts on goal, but Empoli seemed to be holding firm as the pressure was ramped up. Vicario was keeping everything out while bodies were on the line in a string of remarkable blocks by the Empoli rearguard. 

The goal eventually came on 64 minutes when Lautaro reacted fastest to thump a bouncing shot into the net from inside the box. El Toro pulled his shirt off amid joyous celebrations in front of the Curva Nord before getting bundled by his team-mates and substitutes in a magical moment.

With just under 30 minutes left to play, the Nerazzurri couldn’t afford to take their eye off the ball and Inzaghi rang the changes to keep the fitness levels high. The substitutes eventually combined four minutes into stoppage time when Edin Dzeko sent in a low cross that Alexis Sanchez converted to make sure of the three points and send Inter to the top of the table for the time being at least.

Next up for Inter is the Coppa Italia final against Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.

Inter 4-2 Empoli (HT: 2-2)

Scorers: Pinamonti 5, Asllani 28, Romagnoli (OG) 40, Lautaro 45, Lautaro 64, Sanchez 90+4.

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Handanovic; 37 Skriniar, 6 De Vrij, 32 Dimarco (33 D'Ambrosio, 70); 2 Dumfries (36 Darmian, 77), 23 Barella, 77 Brozovic, 20 Calhanoglu (22 Vidal, 70), 14 Perisic; 10 Lautaro (9 Dzeko, 70), 19 Correa (7 Sanchez, 82).Subs not used: 21 Cordaz, 97 Radu, 5 Gagliardini, 8 Vecino, 13 Ranocchia, 18 Gosens, 36 Darmian, 88 Caicedo.Coach: Simone Inzaghi.

EMPOLI (4-3-2-1): 13 Vicario; 20 Fiamozzi (15 Benassi, 78), 6 Romagnoli, 33 Luperto, 65 Parisi; 23 Asllani, 27 Zurkowski (8 Henderson, 61), 5 Stulac (34 Ismajli, 69), 25 Bandinelli; 10 Bajrami (11 Di Francesco, 61); 9 Cutrone, 69) ; 99 Pinamonti.Subs not used: 1 Ujkani, 22 Furlan, 16 Fazzini, 19 La Mantia, 21 Cacace, 35 Baldanzi, 42 Viti.Coach: Aurelio Andreazzoli. 

Booked: Lautaro.Added time: 2+4 minutes.

Referee: Manganiello.Assistants: Berti, Galetto.Fourth official: Marini.VAR: Banti.Assistant VAR: Zufferli.