SERIE A: INTER DEFEATS EMPOLI TO MAINTAIN ITS PERFECT RECORD; NAPOLI LOSES ONCE MORE.

With a 1-0 victory against Empoli on Sunday, Inter Milan maintained its unblemished start to the Serie A season, although the Nerazzurri struggled more than they may have anticipated against a team that has gone five games without recording a point or scoring a goal.

Empoli’s staunch defense, which had allowed 12 goals in its previous four games, needed to be breached by a remarkable shot from Federico Dimarco in the second half.

More than half of those came in the 7-0 loss at Roma last weekend, which prompted the club to hire Aurelio Andreazzoli for a third stint after firing coach Paolo Zanetti.

Inter has now won all five of its Serie A games while only allowing one goal, moving three points ahead of AC Milan in second place.

After a scoreless draw against Bologna, the defending champion Napoli is currently seven points behind Inter.

After humiliating Milan 5-1 in the local derby last weekend, Inter went to Empoli full of confidence. On Wednesday, it also played to a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad.

The Nerazzurri applied heavy pressure early on and had two good opportunities, while Ardian Ismajli of Empoli had to clear Matteo Darmian’s header off the line in the tenth minute.

Marcus Thuram’s goal in the 35th minute was disallowed for offside, despite Inter believing it had broken the scoreless tie.

Six minutes into the second half, the visitors did eventually score. A corner kick from Inter was only headed as far as Dimarco, who then blasted a crisp half-volley shot into the far right corner.