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Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored both goals in Inter's 2-0 win away to Empoli, but Francesco Toldo had a few scares.
The Nerazzurri needed a win after their disappointing opening 1-1 draw with Udinese. Julio Cesar was suspended and Marco Materazzi injured, so Francesco Toldo got a rare start upfront. Adriano was again dropped from the squad. Empoli were defeated 3-1 at Fiorentina last week and hoped to make more of their home record at the Castellani.
Play was halted after 11 minutes for a clash of heads between Antonio Busce' and Cesar Aparecido, leaving both with blood pouring down their faces. They were off the field for treatment when the first goal was scored.
Inter took the lead soon after thanks to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. A Maicon cross from the right was acrobatically volleyed in off the outside of his right foot at the back post.
Empoli had a penalty shout on 15 minutes when Luca Saudati tried to get to a ball over the top and was sandwiched between Ivan Cordoba and Walter Samuel, but the referee waved play on.
Samuel deflected a Saudati header wide, then Ighli Vannucchi's splendid chipped pass over the defence found Busce' for another crucial Samuel intervention.
Empoli had an excellent opportunity on 36 minutes, but Guillermo Giacomazzi's first shot was charged down. He feinted another effort on the ricochet, but instead chipped it for the totally unmarked Luca Antonini to thump wide when clear on goal.
Toldo fumbled a dangerous swerving Vannucchi cross with Saudati hovering and Samuel was able to perform a decisive clearance.
Inter sat back, but when they came forward it was always dangerous. On the stroke of half-time Daniele Balli performed a stunning one-handed save to tip away David Suazo's turn and rocket.
In stoppages Ibrahimovic held up the ball for Esteban Cambiasso, but it fell to Suazo and his shot was charged down from eight yards.
Saudati picked up a knock to his back during that early penalty shout and was forced off at half-time, making way for Milan youth product Nicola Pozzi. Within 50 seconds of the restart Suazo had tested Balli with his blistering pace and angled drive set up by some more fancy Ibrahimovic footwork.
Inter were more sluggish and took their foot off the gas, so Empoli came forward and Toldo flew to parry a Moro screamer from 25 metres.
The home side threw on Sebastian Giovinco, the 20-year-old who has won everything at youth level with Juventus and is on loan to Empoli for some top flight experience.
Toldo had to backpeddle to fingertip a Vittorio Tosto cross-shot over the bar and on 68 minutes Giovinco's fine cross for Pozzi's header forced Toldo into another even better reaction save with his foot.
Empoli were now in charge and pouring forward with their young substitutes. Abate skipped past two players down the right and his cross was not turned in by Pozzi only thanks to Cordoba's sliding tackle.
Inter were struggling, so Roberto Mancini introduced Luis Figo for Suazo and Cristian Chivu at left-back. Figo's long-range attempt was smothered.
However, against the run of play Inter doubled their lead. Dejan Stankovic combined with Figo down the right and Cesar touched on for the unmarked Ibrahimovic to sidefoot home. He just sprung the offside trap and Balli got a foot to it, but could not keep the finish out.
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