Yahoo Sports Inter Player Ratings vs Empoli: Martinez & Dumfries Unplayable
Inter bounced back from a midweek disappointment against Bologna with a 3-1 home win against Serie A minnows Empoli. Despite a scoreless first half, Simone Inzaghi’s side packed a punch to close the gap on pacesetters Napoli to three points.
With a game in hand, Inter remain the leading candidate to climb to the podium this season. However, tonight’s performance was far from impressive, especially in the opening 45 minutes. Except for Nicolo Barella’s hopeful volleys from the edge of the box, they failed to test Empoli goalkeeper Devis Vasquez before the halftime interval.
Lautaro Martinez forced the youngster’s only save, yet the Argentine’s overhead kick wasn’t challenging enough, leaving fans wondering during the break. Inter had no margin for error after Napoli’s win at Atalanta, and El Toro offered them a spark they desperately needed to break down a stubborn opposition.
He fired him from a distance to put Inter in front ten minutes into the second half, scoring in back-to-back Serie A home appearances for the first time in over a year. When Denzel Dumfries’ header rattled the back of the net in the 79th minute, the stage seemed set for Inter’s fifth consecutive league win against Empoli.
Inter loanee Sebastiano Esposito pulled one back for the visitors minutes later, only for Marcus Thuram’s 13th Serie A goal of the season to seal Empoli’s fate. Without further ado, let’s look at our ratings.
Inter (3-5-2)
Yann Sommer – 5
It’s hard to judge a goalkeeper for conceding from the only shot on target, but it was the case tonight.
Carlos Augusto – 7.5
Filling in for Alessandro Bastoni was no small task, but he was equal to the challenge and almost even scored late in the second half.
Stefan de Vrij – 7
Back to his usual best after an erratic performance in a 2-2 draw against Bologna, the Dutchman had Lorenzo Colombo in his back pocket all night.
Benjamin Pavard – 6.5
A bit rusty following a lengthy spell on the sidelines, the French defender had some slow reactions in the early stages but grew into the contest afterward.
Denzel Dumfries – 7.5
He’s in the form of his life. What a jump it was to nail home Kristjan Asllani’s corner-kick delivery! Omnipresent in attack.
Nicolo Barella – 6
Though the Italian ace recorded an assist, he wasn’t the best version of himself, making some uncharacteristic mistakes in possession.
Kristjan Asllani – 6.5
Had it not been for the assist, it would’ve been another substandard showing from Hakan Calhanoglu’s deputy.
Piotr Zielinski – 6
The Polish midfielder was merely a shadow of his former self. Despite occasional flashes of brilliance, he often struggled with the final touch.
Federico Dimarco – 6
His trademark crosses were largely missing this evening. He couldn’t impact the game, with Inter mostly attacking on the right.
Lautaro Martinez – 7.5
The Inter skipper stepped up to the plate when his side needed him the most to break the deadlock with a sublime long-range effort.
Mehdi Taremi – 5.5
Another frustrating match for the Iranian! He failed to put Vasquez to the test and was nearly anonymous in the box.
Substitutes
Marcus Thuram – 7
