Inter‘s 1-0 win against Empoli was far from the scoreline that many expected, albeit with the predicted outcome. It was a game between a side with a 100% record and on with a 0% record; it was Serie A‘s best defence against a team without a single goal, so many feared the worst for the Azzurri.
But the game didn’t play out that way, without a lovely Federico Dimarco volley, the game could well have ended in a draw. Both coaches can take positives from the result – Simone Inzaghi will be pleased that his side got the job done, and the recently-appointed Aurelio Andreazzoli will be delighted his side limited Inter to a single goal.
The result means the Nerazzurri’s 100% record continues which will delight Giuseppe Marotta and co., given the targets set out for their head coach at the start of the season and when Inzaghi‘s contract extension was announced.
Inter struggle to be victorious against improved Empoli
The Azzurri were expected to improve on last weekend’s result, when they shipped seven away at AS Roma, and it was almost a guarantee that they would play with a lower block against a favourite for the scudetto.
Inter‘s chances weren’t limited, but they struggled to create many meaningful opportunities. Marcus Thuram‘s offside goal in the first half was arguably the side’s best chance, not that it stood.
Inter‘s winner came from a delicious volley, dispatched by Federico Dimarco, and it needed a moment of brilliance to score past the Azzurri, given how little space they gave the Biscione to attack, which is a credit to the side.
Sommer offers Inter a great replacement for Onana
Throughout the 2022/23 season, Andre Onana‘s stock had never been higher. As such, Beppe Marotta had likely been building a shortlist for a replacement that had similarities to the Cameroonian’s game.
The club opted to sign Yann Sommer from Bayern Munich in what looks to be an incredibly intelligent piece of business in the current transfer market environment. The 34-year-old only cost the Nerazzurri around €6 million, and he seems to be worth every penny so far.
The Swissman only made one save during the game, although it was a great one as a result of a Filippo Ranocchia free-kick, his work in the first phase of play is what can lead to comparisons between the past and present goalkeeper.
Cool, calm, and collected on the ball, and with a great range of passes in his arsenal, he offers the club a great replacement for the departed Onana.
Empoli can look forward with Aurelio Andreazzoli
Following Serie A Matchday 4’s hammering against AS Roma, change was needed for Empoli. The side looked devoid of confidence, ideas, and above all, hope. As such the board sacked Paolo Zanetti, one of Serie A‘s quickest coaching dismissals.
To replace him, the Azzurri looked back to 69-year-old Aurelio Andreazzoli and appointed him for his fourth spell in charge of the club. Expectations for the game were quite likely to avoid another embarrassing defeat. The Italian delivered and arguably delivered more.
Limiting Inter to a single goal, and a brilliant one at that suggests just how well the side did. Deploying his side in a low block in a 4-3-1-2 meant that the Beneamata had very little space, due to the compactness of Empoli.
Following this, there is a very solid platform to build from and an expectation of what the new coach will expect after such a good defensive performance.
