Inter beat Empoli to end their miserable run in Serie A. Romelu Lukaku played a huge role in helping Inter get the better of Empoli after a bland first half. Simone Inzaghi decided to make several changes, as Bellanova came as a breath of fresh hair, while Gagliardini, D’Ambrosio, and Handanovic provided some experience. Calhanoglu’s return helped Inter to find creativity in the final third. But the new additions took some time to click, and Empoli had a few chances in the first half.
Handanovic was alert as an inviting long ball dropped nicely for Cambiaghi. However, the Nerazzurri captain used his experience and came forward in time to prevent the Italian striker. A few minutes later, Parisi made a wild run on the right, as Bellanova was high up the pitch. D’Ambrosio slowed him down, but Baldanzi could not add power to his shot from the cut-back.
Inter beat Empoli 3-0 as Romelu Lukaku scores a brace
After a tiring first half under the sun, Lukaku sparked inspiration in the second half. The Belgian striker did not take much time to combine well with Calhanoglu and Brozovic in the center and found the space to shoot with his weaker foot. Gosens played the ball to the Turkish midfielder and made a run to pull the marker and create space.
Calhanoglu looked bright and showed what Inter lacked in the midfield. The Turkish midfielder fired a couple of shots, but Perisan managed to keep them away. Inter then brought Lautaro and Dumfries on the pitch and started to dominate more. Lukaku showed that his form is back as he scored a powerful second goal. The Belgian took on Ismajli and drove past him before hitting an emphatic strike from the left foot.
Lukaku did not stop there as the ‘Lu-La’ duo combined for the third goal to seal the game. The Belgian carried the ball from the midfield, before finding Lautaro on the left side of the box. The Argentine did well to finish. The lethal duo are getting back in form in time as the crucial phase for Inter begins.
