Inter Milan kept the pressure on Serie A leaders Napoli with a convincing 3-1 victory over Empoli at the San Siro, securing three valuable points in their pursuit of the league title. The win moved Simone Inzaghi’s side to within three points of Napoli, with a game in hand, as they continue their charge toward the top of the table. The match saw limited goal-scoring opportunities in the first half, but Lautaro Martinez came close to breaking the deadlock in the 23rd minute, his effort hitting the post.
The star of the match, Lautaro Martinez, once again proved why he has been crucial to Inter's attacking force. His goal in the 55th minute was a beauty, curling the ball into the top corner from outside the box, aided by a slight touch from Empoli goalkeeper Devis Vasquez. Martinez’s goal marked another milestone, as he now shares the title of joint-highest scoring foreign player in Serie A history for Inter Milan, tied with Mauro Icardi at 111 goals. Only Stefano Nyers has scored more goals for the club in Serie A. Martinez’s contribution in this match reinforced his importance to Inter Milan’s Serie A ambitions.
Inter doubled their advantage just minutes after Martinez's goal, with Denzel Dumfries heading home from Kristjan Asllani’s corner to make it 2-0. Despite the commanding position, Empoli responded with a spirited effort, pulling one back through Sebastiano Esposito, who scored from a well-executed cross by Liam Henderson, reducing the deficit to 2-1. The match was now finely poised, with Empoli looking for an equalizer.
However, Inter's depth proved crucial as they sealed the win late in the game. Substitute Marcus Thuram, fresh off the bench, combined with fellow substitute Marko Arnautovic to score a third goal for Inter in the 89th minute, putting the result beyond doubt and securing a crucial victory.
This win was another example of Inter Milan’s impressive form. In their last eight league matches, they have accumulated 22 points from a possible 24, scoring 25 goals while conceding just four. They have now scored 51 goals in their first 20 Serie A matches, matching their best-ever tally at this stage, a feat they last achieved in the 2021-22 season. Their attacking prowess, along with a solid defensive record, continues to make them one of the strongest contenders in the Serie A title race.
As the season progresses, Inter Milan’s recent form and consistency suggest they are well-positioned to challenge Napoli for the top spot. With Lautaro Martinez in red-hot form and a squad brimming with talent and depth, Inter Milan will be a force to reckon with as they look to claim the Serie A crown.
