Roberto Mancini’s men ended the season on a positive note in a highly entertaining affair between the two sides at the San Siro.
In a game that saw seven second-half goals, Argentine striker Mauro Icardi drew level with Luca Toni on 22 goals in the race for the Capocannoniere.
Rodrigo Palacio opened the scoring early after the break, before Icardi made it 2-0 to Inter Milan with a clinical finish one-on-one against Empoli goalkeeper Davide Bassi.
Within 10 minutes though, the game was level again as Georgian front-man Levan Mchedlidze and 23-year-old striker Manuel Pucciarelli made it 2-2 with half an hour still to play.
This, again, was short-lived though, as Croatian Marcelo Brozovic and the lethal Argentine Icardi hit well-placed efforts into the back of the net in the 70th and 77th minute respectively.
In the dying embers of the game, Empoli’s No.9 Mchedlidze made it 4-3 with a drilled strike from the edge of the box. Yet this was not enough for Empoli, as the Nerazzurri held their nerve to finish the 2014-15 Serie A campaign with a victory.
Inter must keep Icardi at all costs
One of Inter Milan’s shining lights in a below-par season on the pitch for the club, Icardi struck 27 times in all competitions and 22 in Serie A alone, in a team that finished in eighth spot. The 22-year-old is already being courted by some of Europe’s elite (Chelsea are credited with retaining a strong interest), and the fact that he has finished as the joint top scorer in Serie A will turn heads of many more big clubs.
Despite recently extending his contract, according to reports in Italy, he is currently plying his trade for a team that is not going to be involved in European football in 2015-16, albeit a very historic and prestigious club.
If Inter are to hold on to their mercurial front-man, they must make significant progress in Serie A next term by aiming for a top three finish. There will be no doubt that, assuming the Argentine stays, Icardi will have a huge role to play in this.
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Empoli show their character one last time in 2014-15
The Tuscans were many a pundit’s tip for relegation come the end of the campaign. Maurizio Sarri, however, has worked wonders with the Azzurri this season, guiding the recently promoted club to 15th.
As well as this, in recent times, the team has claimed the scalps of Rafa Benitez’s Napoli and Europa League contenders Torino (4-2 and 1-0 respectively).
The tactically astute Sarri has earned his side a reputation of being one of the hardest teams to break down in Serie A and opponents recognise the Stadio Carlo Castellani as one of the hardest to claim maximum points from, with only five teams emerging victorious in this campaign.
Next time around will be a bigger challenge for the Tuscans as other Serie A sides know what to expect when coming up against them, but with hearty performances such as this against Inter Milan, Empoli should retain their Serie A status for another season.
Kovacic proves he is still one of Europe’s brightest prospects
The 21-year-old has endured an indifferent campaign with the Nerazzurri in 2014-15 – his teammates’ form can be attributed to this.
Against Empoli though, the Croatian showed why he is so highly regarded around the world and thought of as one of the best young central-midfielders in the game.
Inter’s No.10 had a role to play in the team’s opening two goals, playing crisp through balls that opened up the Empoli back-four as well as linking up with team mates intelligently.
The youngster pulled the strings in midfield for Internazionale throughout the game and Mancini will be hoping for some consistency from Kovacic next season if Inter are to make an assault on the top three.
Despite no European football next season, Inter are not in need of a rebuild
Inter owner Erick Thohir and manager Mancini have set up the foundations for the club moving forward. A relatively young and balanced team with an adequate amount of depth and quality throughout is what the club has at the moment.
As well as this, Mancini has his side playing some fluid attacking football, only the defence is in need of improvement if Inter are to progress.
There are no gaping holes or inadequacies in this current team – Samir Handanovic is a superb goalkeeper and one of the best in the world, the back four is decent although not great (additions may be needed), the midfield is balanced and boasts talent (more width is needed though), and up-front the club has one of the best young strikers in the world at this current time in Icardi.
A few additions are needed as well as some injection of youth from the academy, but apart from that the club is in a good position to challenge for a Champions League berth next season.
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