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Inter equalled the all-time club record of eight consecutive Serie A victories, last achieved by Giovanni Trapattoni and Helenio Herrera.
The Nerazzurri's last Serie A defeat was at the Castellani on April 30, sealed by a comical Marco Materazzi own goal from 30 metres, and they made this trip without Olivier Dacourt, Julio Cruz and suspended duo Patrick Vieira and Maicon Douglas, but Dejan Stankovic passed a late fitness test. Empoli's seven-match unbeaten run was ended in controversial fashion at Torino last week and Stefano Lucchini returned from a ban, but Gigi Cagni switched to a 4-4-1-1 system.
Daniele Balli got down quickly to turn a Fabio Grosso free kick round the post, then Zlatan Ibrahimovic was booked for a dramatic dive in the area without contact from Lucchini. The same fate befell Raggi at the other end of the field following a coming together with Grosso.
The Swede skipped past his marker with some fancy footwork and cut into the area, but Hernan Crespo was anticipated before he could turn in. Grosso's free kick was flapped out for Santiago Solari to strike the side-netting.
Empoli had a good scoring opportunity on the half-hour mark, as Julio Cesar's palms were stung by a Sergio Almiron screamer and Daniele Adani's follow-up was wide.
Ibrahimovic sprung the offside trap only for a weak left-foot finish to be easily caught.
Vittorio Tosto came on at half-time and within seconds threaded through for Luca Saudati, forcing Julio Cesar into a save. Alvaro Recoba has scored three stunning goals in this stadium and came on for Santiago Solari, while Grosso went off injured.
Inter eventually broke the deadlock on the hour mark. Recoba's free kick was nodded on to the crossbar by Ibrahimovic and Crespo was alert to tap in the loose ball from four yards.
Balli's save prevented Ibrahimovic from making it 2-0 from point-blank range. Adriano has recovered from a back problem and replaced the goalscorer moments later.
Ighli Vannucchi has already scored with two free kicks this season and his set-piece skimmed the crossbar. Vannucchi then combined passes with Saudati to enter the area and drill inches wide of the far post.
Maxwell's defensive error handed Empoli a dangerous opportunity, but Inter doubled their tally through Ibrahimovic. The new attacking intent inevitably left more room for the counter and Ibrahimovic took full advantage of a misplaced pass in midfield, running into the area and stroking the ball in off the near post.
There was only one team in it now and Walter Samuel's diving header on a Nicolas Andre Burdisso cross from the right made it 3-0.
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