Frattesi scores twice to help Inter Milan beat 10-man Empoli 3-0

Associated Press

MILAN (AP) — Davide Frattesi got a rare start and responded with his first-ever brace to help Inter Milan to a 3-0 win over 10-team Empoli in Serie A on Wednesday.

Frattesi, who spent a season on loan at Empoli five years ago, scored both goals in the second half and Lautaro Martínez sealed the victory. The game had turned around when Empoli defender Saba Goglichidze was sent off in the 31st minute.

Second-placed Inter are now four points behind leaders Napoli, who won 2-0 at AC Milan on Tuesday. Inter and Napoli meet at San Siro on November 10th.

Inter were looking to bounce back from a disappointing draw in the Derby d'Italia, which saw them draw 4-4 against Juventus after leading 4-2.

But the Nerazzurri knew Empoli would be difficult to break. The Tuscan team remained unbeaten in the first six rounds and then narrowly lost to Lazio and Napoli. In addition, they only conceded one goal at home.

Both teams had chances and Matteo Darmian had a goal ruled out for Inter by the video assistant referee for handball.

The VAR helped Inter when Goglichidze initially only saw a yellow card for a high and dangerous tackle on Marcus Thuram. The referee changed it to red after being asked to look at it again on the pitchside monitor.

Five minutes after the break, Inter made their breakthrough. Darmian headed Alessandro Bastoni's cross from the baseline to Frattesi, who curled it into the top far corner.

Frattesi doubled his tally in the 67th minute when Lautaro played Nicolò Barella's through ball back to him and he shot into the bottom left corner.

Lautaro added himself to the scoresheet in the 79th minute after being set up by Barella. It was the Argentine striker's 134th goal for Inter, making him the most dangerous foreigner to ever play for the club.

Inter next face Venezia, who came back from a two-goal deficit to beat 10-man Udinese 3-2 and slip from last place.

Juventus played Parma later on Wednesday. Atalanta played against Monza.

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