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Inter marked their Scudetto party with a record 27th win of the season against a combative Empoli, including Alvaro Recoba's goal from the corner flag.
There was a party atmosphere at the San Siro as the Nerazzurri returned 'home' for the first time since conquering the Scudetto in Siena. The Inter players brought out their children in special kits before kick-off, there were fireworks, a balloon drop and a huge banner reading 'Grazie' in the stands.
Empoli were in no mood to join in, though, as they were chasing a UEFA Cup spot and had kept three consecutive clean sheets. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Hernan Crespo, Walter Samuel, Douglas Maicon and the suspended Adriano were out of action. The Tuscans had only ever emerged from here unbeaten once with a 1-0 victory in 2004, losing the other six visits and always conceding at least three goals.
Julio Cruz was closed down, but Empoli had a great chance to ruin the atmosphere after six minutes. Ighli Vannucchi hurdled a challenge down the left and crossed for Luca Saudati who brought a fantastic point-blank save out of Julio Cesar.
Cruz hit the back of the net from eight yards, but was clearly in an offside position and the goal was ruled out. Antonio Busce' had to come off after just 11 minutes with a calf problem, making way for Brazilian Eder.
Alvaro Recoba smashed one of his trademark free kicks to sting Bassi's palms and saw another snapshot smothered. Substitute Eder wasted a promising opportunity with a scuffed finish. Vannucchi was causing all sorts of problems in the Inter defence and went on another solo run before he was eventually crowded out, then set up a fine Saudati shot caught by Julio Cesar.
Il Jardinero's celebrations were only postponed until the 28th minute, when Inter passed the ball around well and Recoba's pass was rolled on by an Esteban Cambiasso backheel for the totally unmarked Cruz. The Argentine fired an unstoppable drive high at the near post.
Cruz tried to return the favour for Recoba, as he dribbled past two men in the box only for his shot from the tightest of angls to thump the base of the upright.
Moro had a stunning moment on 34 minutes. He robbed Recoba on the counter with a magnificent tackle, confused opponents with a couple of stepovers and fed Saudati a glancing header well blocked by Julio Cesar. Olivier Dacourt almost gave away a penalty when he clattered into Sergio Almiron and a Vannucchi screamer was smothered.
Goalscorer Cruz limped off with a muscular problem to make way for Mariano Gonzalez. The substitute had a wonderful opportunity to make his mark from an inspired Luis Figo pass, but his horrid first touch made it child's play for Bassi.
Almiron's powerful finish from 20 metres whistled wide of the near post, swerving round at the last second.
After the break the Inter goalkeeper parried an Almiron free kick. Julio Cesar performed a stunning save on Nicola Pozzi's swerving header, leaping across his goalline to fingertip it round the post.
Empoli's pressure eventually paid off, as Saudati gathered from Almiron's disguised pass in the D and sent Marco Materazzi the wrong way to drill in a low angled drive.
Inter fought back and Bassi parried a Fabio Grosso effort that was cleared, but Recoba restored the Nerazzurri's lead by curling in direct from the corner flag! He caught Bassi by surprise, as the 'keeper was off his line and it was his first goal since March 2006.
Dejan Stankovic got in on the party with another moments later. Empoli left acres of space for Inter to push forward and he placed his daisy-cutter perfectly into the far corner off the inside of the post.
Pozzi reacted with his own similar shot that was just wide and Vannucchi's solo effort flew over from 30 metres.
Figo thought he had scored his first goal of the season when he was totally clear, but incredibly ballooned over the bar with the 'keeper rushing out. Grosso also fired over, but Saudati hit the woodwork with a deflected volley at the near post.
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