The match between Inter and Empoli was absolutely atrocious from an Inter perspective. Empoli went into the game with a great defensive record at home. The Tuscans drew all of their last 3 home games 0-0. Inter went into the match in good form after defeating Genoa 3-1, and were bolstered by the signing of Xherdan Shaqiri who started from the bench. Those who thought that this match was going to be a stroll in the park were given a rude awakening.
Empoli came out the more intense of the two sides. Mancini set Inter up with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Lukas Podolski and Hernanes on the wings. Andrea Rannochia replaced Marco Andreolli in the middle of defense. Handanovic was called into action after only 5 minutes when Elseid Hysaj’s low strike was saved by the Slovenian. The Tuscans continued to dominate the midfield battle and Inter relied on hopeless long balls to create chances. Inter lost nearly every 50-5o ball and Empoli continued to run the show. A dull first half ended with Empoli having 65% possession. Mancini’s side looked lost, out of ideas, and downright lazy. The only player who looked like playing football was Gary Medel. The Chilean made countless interceptions in the first half, and was the only player who showed any heart.
The second half began in a similar manor to the first. Inter took of Rannochia at half time because the captain suffered a knee sprain. Empoli continued to keep possession in Inter’s half. Inter’s first chance of the game came on 52 minutes from Podolski’s corner in which Vidic met the ball well, but put his effort left of the far post. Palacio was the next player to spurn a good chance when Hernanes chipped the ball over the Empoli back line, and the Argentine’s diving header was wide of the goal and the chance was wasted. Empoli countered Inter and should have taken the lead on 58 minutes when Pucciarelli unsurprisingly beat Vidic for pace and raced in on goal. Handanovic got a hand on the shot and D’Ambrsio cleared the ball out for a corner. The home side continued to dominate the match and every goal kick taken by Handanovic was met by the head of an Empoli player. Mancini then subbed off Icadi for Kovacic. This move made very little sense because Icardi is Inter’s most lethal player and Palacio did not look like scoring any goals tonight. Moments later, Pucciarelli raced in on goal from the left side, and was once again denied by Handanovic. On 74 minutes Xherdan Shaqiri was brought on for Lukas Podolski and the Swiss international was Inter’s brightest player. Inter’s last chance of the game came on 89 minutes when Shaqiri robbed Croce of the ball and teed up Hernanes. The Brazilian once again failed to produce a somewhat decent strike and the chance was wasted.
This match was awful. Mancini really did not prepare his team for this match. The ball movement was slow, the players did not want to win, and no lessons were learned. Subbing off Icardi was a mistake. Palacio is looking like a lost cause, and lacks the killer instinct that made him such a deadly striker last season. The next problem was Hugo Campagnaro. The Argentine defender lacks pace and any attacking intent and is therefore useless to a club such as Inter. Another weak link in this squad was Fredy Guarin. The Colombian was poor in all aspects. Guarin was always out of position and was a big reason why Inter lost the midfield battle today. Hernanes was also out of form once again. The former Lazio man was useless and has forgotten to strike a football. This game had the same pattern: Goal kick for Handanovic, Empoli win the header, and Empoli win possesion. It would have been smart if Handanovic played the ball on the floor. The main difference between the two sides was the movement, Empoli moved as a unit and pressured well. Inter moved as individuals. Overall, Mancini messed up today. Icardi should have stayed on the pitch. Hernanes should never play out wide again. Palacio must get benched. Campagnaro should get sold. Things must change. If this team performs like this again then third place seems like a fantasy. The lesson learned today is “you get what you put into a match.” Inter put in a lack of effort and deservedly did not win the match.
