Empoli 0-1 Inter Milan: Federico Dimarco stunner sees Nerazzurri maintain perfect Serie A start

Federico Dimarco’s fantastic volley secured victory for Inter in a top-versus-bottom clash in Serie A at Empoli.

Although dominating the first half, Inter lacked the quality which saw them destroy their city rivals 5-1 last weekend, but they went close on two occasions, first when Davide Frattesi’s header was cleared off the line by Ardian Ismajli and then Marcus Thuram was only narrowly offside when he converted from close range.

At the interval Empoli would have been reasonably confident about getting their first point of the campaign and it took a raise in Inter’s intent to force them on the back foot at the start of the second half.

Still, it took a world class strike from their left-wing back, arrowing a half-volley from 20 yards into the top corner to put them in front.

The win sees Inter retain their 100% record in Serie A and go back to the top of the table, while Empoli stay propping up the league without a point.

There was a focus in the build-up to this match in the Italian about how Inter are a different team than last year and do not look like they will drop points as indeed they did in the reverse fixture between these sides last season. But at half time one couldn’t help wonder if the great high of the Milan derby drubbing had led to an emotional letdown. Just like in midweek though, they managed to banish any negative thoughts and get a result. This was not like against Real Sociedad where the issue was not creating much until Lautaro Martinez’s late goal, but there was still an intensity lacking as the first half went on. As often is the case, one moment of inspiration can make the difference in how games are viewed, but Simone Inzaghi is sure to be a content man as his side travels back home this afternoon.

Even before he scored the winning goal, he was one of the few Inter players whose intensity matched that given in the bigger matches. Although his energy and drive ensures he is worth his place in the side, it is the way he strikes a ball which makes him special. There are few who hit a cleaner ball first time in world football with his method of chopping down on contact one which few could replicate without embarrassment. A minute before his goal it took a very good save from Etrit Berisha to deny him an opener from similar range, but there was no stopping his eventual winner which could not have had a truer trajectory.

Empoli: Berisha 6; Ebuehi 6, Ismajli 7, Luperto 6, Pezzella 6; Marin 6, Ranocchia 6, Maleh 6; Baldanzi 7; Shpendi 6, Cambiaghi 6

Subs: Walukiewicz 6, Fazzini 5, Grassi 6, Destro 6, Cancellieri 7.

Inter: Sommer 6; Pavard 7, Acerbi 6, Bastoni 6; Darmian 6, Frattesi 7, Calhanoglu 7, Mkhitaryan 7, Dimarco 8*; Thuram 7, Lautaro Martinez 7.

Subs: Barella 6, Arnautovic 6, De Vrij 6, Carlos Augusto 6, Sanchez 6.

10′ HEADED OFF THE LINE BY IMSAJLI! Darmian rose highest at the back post and headed powerfully past the Empoli keeper but Ismajli got back to save a goal by heading away.

35′ THURAM HAS THE BALL IN THE NET! Frattesi flicked on Calhanoglu’s cross and Thuram tapped in at the back post but he was just in an offside position.

40′ GOOD SAVE FROM BERISHA! A lovely ball from Calhanoglu set up Frattesi who tried to clip the ball over the Empoli keeper but he was quick off his line and made himself big enough to push the shot away and then dive on the loose ball.

50′ ANOTHER GOOD STOP FROM BERISHA! Dimarco fires a typical half-volley cutting across the ball and hitting a rocket which the Albanian stopper dived to push wide of his near post.

51′ GOAL FOR INTER! This time Dimarco does score with a fantastic strike. The clearance from the corner bounced invitingly for him on the half-volley and his strike arrowed into the top corner giving Berisha no chance.

66′ GOOD STOP FROM SOMMER! A very good free kick curled over the wall from Ranocchia but Sommer dived full length to punch away to safety.

• 1 – Empoli are the first side to go five Serie A games without a point or a goal.