Empoli are dealing with a potential injury crisis ahead of their Serie A clash with Inter Milan after the international break.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. The newspaper note that defenders Tyronne Ebuehi and Ardian Ismajli will both miss the match with the Nerazzurri.
The first match back for Inter after the international break will be against Empoli.
That match, set for April 1st, will pit the runaway league leaders against a team currently fighting to retain their top flight status.
Inter will travel to Tuscany to face Empoli at the Stadio Carlo Castellani.
Whilst the Tuscans had endured a truly miserable start to the season, and sacked two coaches during the course of the campaign, they have started to find their feet again.
A lot of this comes down to the work of Davide Nicola. The coach, who has significant experience in Serie A relegation battles, took over in January.
After Nicola took over, Empoli’s points-per-game average rose to a remarkable two points per match.
However, that has dropped to 1.3 per match.
A last-gasp loss to Bologna on Friday was another bitter blow for Nicola’s team.
Empoli To Miss Ismajli & Ebuehi In Serie A Clash Vs Inter
And Empoli will have to prepare for their match against Inter without being able to call upon a couple key players in defense.
Centre-back Ismajli will not be available.
The 27-year-old Albanian international is currently out with an injury. And according to the Gazzetta, it is certain that Ismajli will be unavailable to marshal the defense against Inter.
Then, fullback Ebuehi will also be out for the match.
The Nigerian is in fact out for the rest of the season. He suffered an injury to his right anterior cruciate ligament during the loss to Bologna.
That injury will take Ebuehi several months to recover from.
Meanwhile, midfielder Alberto Grassi is also a significant doubt for Empoli against Inter. That is yet another potential blow in terms of the Tuscans’ starting eleven.
