After a long winter break to recover from the loss against Lazio at home, Inter have to travel to Empoli tonight to restart their campaign and continue to chase that most important Champions League spot. Here are some interesting numbers from Whoscored

 

Goal-scoring

Both Inter and Empoli have scored 23 goals in their 17 Serie A games this season. Both teams have scored 11 goals each at home this season. 36-year-old has scored 7 of them for Empoli and has played a part in all of their 17 matches this season with 16 starts and 1 appearance of the bench. In form Saponara is their 2nd highest scorer with 5 but also has 6 assists to his name. They have scored more than half of Empoli’s goal this season combined so Medel, Miranda and Murillo will have their work cut out tonight at the Stadio Carlo Castellani. Inter’s top scorer is, no surprise, Mauro Icardi who also has 7 goals to his name in 14 appearances. Stevan Jovetic is still 2nd with his 4 goals.

Goal-stopping

You cant seperate Inter and Empoli’s attacking numbers, but defence is where the differences are. Inter have conceded only 11 goals in 17 rounds which is obviously the best in the league. Empoli have conceded twice that amount. Away from home Inter have only conceded 5 in 8 games. Empoli have conceded 13 goals in 9 games at home.  Inter’s defence is no doubt their strength and if they turn up Empoli will have a tough start to 2016.

Passing

Inter average 491 passes a game versus Empoli’s 446. Inter’s average possession also is about 53% which is slightly higher than Empoli’s 50%. Empoli play a lot of short passes as 85% of their passing is routed that way. Only 3% of the time they attempt crosses. Inter are also pretty similar that way as our short passing game is also at 84%.  We are also slightly more accurate with our passing as 83% of our passes reach their destination compared to Empoli’s 80%.

Best players so far

Andrea Costa is their highest rated player on Whoscored with 7.32. Their central defender has started 12 games and has scored a goal and leads their aerial battle average with 3.2. Inter’s best player statistically is also a central defender 7.33. Colombian player of the year Murillo has started 14 games and has been Whoscored player of the match twice this season!

 

Stay tuned to @Interstats during the game for more interesting numbers and also tweet us @SempreIntercom or using the hashtag #SempreInterLive