Inter assistant thanks Asllani and Lautaro Martinez for tough victory | OneFootball

Simone Inzaghi’s assistant manager Massimiliano Farris singled out Lautaro Martinez and Kristjan Asllani for praise after Inter’s 3-1 victory over Empoli. ‘Asllani proved he belongs in this team.’

The Nerazzurri were feeling the pressure after Napoli earned a 3-2 victory away to Atalanta and they were held to a 2-2 midweek draw by Bologna.

It took a long time to break through plucky Empoli at San Siro, needing a moment of magic from Lautaro Martinez, whose long-range curler found the top corner by bending back Devis Vasquez’s fingertips.

A towering Denzel Dumfries header and late Marcus Thuram goal, around a Sebastiano Esposito response, sealed the 3-1 victory.

Inzaghi sat out a touchline ban, so Farris was on the bench this evening and held the post-match interviews too, explaining his team talk during the break.

“We just tried to relax the lads at half-time more than fire them up. We expected Empoli to be a little more aggressive, as they put a wall up in the first half, so we were constantly trying to move the ball around, tire them out and find a way through,” Farris told DAZN.

“We broke the deadlock with a goal from our hitman, who is back to doing what he always does.”

It is not quite what he always does, because Lautaro Martinez had failed to find the net for two months, but as is often the way, once he does start then he goes on a run of goals.

Inter in thick of Scudetto race

epa11837467 Players of Inter greet their supporters after winning the Italian Serie A soccer match between FC Inter and Empoli FC, in Milan, Italy, 19 January 2025. EPA-EFE/MATTEO BAZZI

This result puts Inter three points behind Serie A leaders Napoli, but crucially they have a game in hand away to Fiorentina, which is likely to be rescheduled for next month.

“We don’t have time to think about these things. Our journey since the last Serie A defeat in the derby was 12 wins and three draws, so the team scored 55 goals, we are in the running to go directly into the Champions League Round of 16 knockout stage, we got through to the next phase of the Coppa Italia,” explained Farris.

“What we need now is to get some players back to allow us squad rotation, because we need everyone so that they can get some rest.”

In the absence of Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Inter gave the midfield keys to Kristjan Asllani this evening and Farris wanted to single him out for praise.

“San Siro is a tough place to play, but while there was some harsh criticism in the media of his performance against Bologna, Kristjan did really well this evening and proved he absolutely belongs in this team.”

While Inter have scored 55 goals, none of those in Serie A have come from Mehdi Taremi, so are they missing the Iranian’s contribution?

“In numerical terms, undoubtedly, but when we analyse the tactical movements, we see how generous he is and how much he runs. A goal would be nice for him at San Siro, but regardless we have great confidence the goals will come.”

It remains a thrilling Scudetto race, with Antonio Conte’s side having the advantage of no other competition to focus on, whereas Inter are in the Champions League on Wednesday with a trip to Sparta Prague.