Inter eager to return to winning ways after eight-goal thriller against Juve.

2024-10-24

Inter Milan, eager to close the gap on league leaders Napoli, faces a struggling Empoli side at San Siro in a midweek clash that promises to test the resilience of both teams, as Empoli seeks to break their scoring drought against the formidable defending champions.

Empoli

Empoli are without a win in four games [WDLLD], following a 1-1 draw against newly promoted Parma at the Ennio Tardini Stadium. The Blues' only goal came from an own goal by Woyo Coulibaly [35’ O.G.], but Gabriel Charpentier [80’] later equalized for Parma.

The match could have gone worse for Empoli, as Ange-Yoan Bonny of Parma missed a penalty just three minutes after leveling the score. While stopping their winless streak is a priority, 10th-placed Empoli, with 11 points [2W, 5D, 2L], will be content with securing a point against the reigning champions Inter in the upcoming fixture.

Empoli's recent home form is concerning, as they've failed to score in nine of their 14 home league games in 2024. They haven't found the net in their last four home matches, a drought they haven't faced since November 2016.

As they gear up to face Inter, Empoli are likely to field a 3—1—4—2 formation, with Ola Solbakken and Colombo leading the attack. The Tuscan club hopes to avoid setting a negative record by not scoring in five consecutive home league matches for the first time since 2016.

Inter

After sharing a point in the eight-goal thriller against Juventus, Inter are looking to return to winning ways. The Italian champions saw a three-game winning run come to an end in Sunday’s 4-4 draw against the Old Lady.

With Hakan Çalhanoğlu absent due to a hamstring injury, it was Piotr Zieliński who stepped up to convert both penalties for Inter. However, it was Kenan Yıldız who turned out to be the hero after bringing Juve level with two late strikes.

Second-placed Inter, having 18 points, are now looking to move within a point of league leaders Napoli, who face AC Milan in the midweek round of fixtures. While defending has been a letdown this season, with Inter conceding 13 goals so far, they aim to return to Milan with a clean sheet.

Inter have kept a shutout in their last nine away games against Empoli in Serie A, boasting a record of eight wins and one draw. A 3-5-2 formation with Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martínez in attack is expected.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu remains ruled out alongside Carlos Augusto, challenging Inter to adjust their lineup and strategy accordingly.