Napoli's 3-2 win over Atalanta on Saturday ensured Inter could not afford to get into trouble against Empoli, a side they had beaten in each of the past four meetings. Although they dominated possession in the first half, they struggled to create many clear-cut chances and had to make do with attempts from distance.
Nicolo Barella was clearly keen to add to his tally of three goals in Serie A this season. He fired a couple of well-hit volleys but couldn't stop either as they flew over the bar.
The best chances of the opening period undoubtedly belonged to captain Lautaro Martinez, whose bicycle kick was kept out by Devis Vasquez before later hitting the post from around eight yards out.
Empoli, meanwhile, seemed content to frustrate opponents rather than cause attacking problems themselves, meaning Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer was effectively a passenger before half-time.
Inter needed some magic to break through, and it eventually came from talismanic Lautaro Martinez.
He picked up the ball about 25 yards from goal, straightened up and smashed a strike into the top corner, and although Vásquez got a hand on it, the effort was too powerful and accurate to be stopped.
Shortly afterwards he almost had a second, but Empoli's shot-stopper was equal on that occasion. With the games getting underway quickly for Inter, Simone Inzaghi then changed sides, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan among others thrust into the action.
The hosts effectively took the points when Denzel Dumfries powered in Kristjan Asllani's corner and although Sebastiano Esposito's neat finish against his former club halved the deficit and gave the Nerazzurri something to think about, Marcus Thuram's effort after a quick counter made end to all hope of visiting. an unlikely comeback.
Inter now look ahead to their midweek UEFA Champions League match against Sparta Praha.
As for Empoli, they will host Bologna next week, one point above the relegation zone, after a ninth defeat in their previous 11 Serie A matches.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
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