Inter Milan will aim to keep their title credentials alive when they welcome Empoli on Sunday evening.
On Sunday evening, Inter will host Empoli at San Siro as they look to bounce back from a disappointing midweek draw.
The reigning Serie A champions remain in a tight title race, but defensive frailties have left Simone Inzaghi’s men with room for improvement. Meanwhile, Empoli are battling to stay above the drop zone and face a daunting schedule that could define their season.
Inter Milan missed an opportunity to close the gap on league leaders Napoli in their midweek clash with Bologna, where a 2-2 draw frustrated fans and players alike. Goals from Denzel Dumfries and Lautaro Martinez had put Inter in the driver’s seat, but a second-half equalizer exposed defensive issues that have plagued the team this season.
The Nerazzurri have now conceded 12 goals at San Siro in the current campaign — more than their total at home throughout last season. However, their attacking form remains potent, having scored in 32 consecutive league matches at home. Lautaro Martinez continues to lead from the front, while Dumfries has been enjoying a purple patch of form.
Inter still find themselves in contention for the Scudetto alongside Napoli and Atalanta, and their record against Empoli provides plenty of confidence. Having won 13 of their last 14 league meetings with the Tuscans, history is firmly on Inter’s side.
Empoli’s trip to San Siro comes at a difficult time, as Roberto D’Aversa’s side has lost five of their last seven league matches, including a damaging 3-1 home defeat to Lecce last weekend. Early goals proved costly against Lecce, and while Liberato Cacace scored to give Empoli hope, a late strike sealed their fate.
Empoli has now fallen precariously close to the relegation zone, just two points clear, and will face a brutal run of fixtures in the coming weeks. Empoli have struggled against the league’s top teams, with Inter being one of their toughest opponents historically. They have lost 26 of their 33 Serie A clashes with the Nerazzurri, conceding 69 goals in the process.
While D’Aversa has brought some energy to the team since his appointment, Empoli’s defensive and offensive inconsistencies are glaring, making this trip to Lombardy an uphill battle. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Inter Milan will welcome back Henrikh Mkhitaryan for this weekend’s clash against Empoli, providing a much-needed boost to Simone Inzaghi’s squad. Veteran defender Francesco Acerbi is also nearing a return from a lengthy injury layoff and could make the bench.
However, Inter are still grappling with several notable absences, as Yann Bisseck, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Joaquin Correa remain sidelined due to thigh injuries. Additionally, wantaway midfielder Davide Frattesi is training individually as he recovers from a muscular issue, leaving him doubtful for selection.
Simone Inzaghi may opt for some rotation, given the team’s midweek draw and their upcoming UEFA Champions League trip to Prague. Despite this, Lautaro Martinez is expected to start alongside Marcus Thuram in attack. Martinez, who has been inconsistent this season, will aim to find the net in consecutive league games at San Siro for the first time since February.
The midfield trio is likely to feature Nicolo Barella, Kristjan Asllani, and the returning Mkhitaryan, while Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco are set to provide width and offensive support from the wing-back positions. At the back, Benjamin Pavard, Stefan de Vrij, and Carlos Augusto are expected to form the defensive trio, with Yann Sommer in goal.
Inter’s probable lineup in a 3-5-2 formation will feature Yann Sommer as the goalkeeper. The back three will consist of Benjamin Pavard, Stefan de Vrij, and Carlos Augusto, providing stability at the heart of the defence. Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco will operate as wing-backs, adding both defensive coverage and attacking flair.
In midfield, Nicolo Barella and Kristjan Asllani will be joined by Henrikh Mkhitaryan to create a balanced and dynamic unit. Up front, Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram will lead the line, tasked with breaking down Empoli’s defence and securing a crucial three points for the Nerazzurri.
Inter Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, De Vrij, Augusto; Dumfries, Barella, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram.
