By Anna Italia
                                          FC INTER  1   -  0  EMPOLI   
                                                    34' Zlatan Ibrahimovic


Substitutions:        46' Luis Jimenez out, Maxwell in               55' Moro out, Saudati in
                               49' Dejan Stankovic out, Rivas in             59' Marzoratti out, Abate in
                               56' Julio Cruz out, David Suazo in             84' Vannucchi out, Giacomazzi in


I think nobody expects Empoli to beat Inter. However, nothing is finalized until the Referee whistles the end of the match. Will Inter make a goaleada? Can Empoli survive the powerful attack from strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Julio Cruz, Hernan Crespo, and David Suazo?

One thing is clear. Inter has been struggling to win and tested.  Is it that Inter is getting tired? Are they running out of fuel? Is it that coach Mancini is lowering expectations and preparing for the Champions League?

                     

Fact is that Inter won against a so-called small team, Empoli, with a penalty kick.  Is not that Inter won convincingly, unlike Siena that scored 3 goals against Roma.  Had not been for the penalty kick granted by Referee Paolo Tagliavento  in the 33rd minute when Empoli Captain Vannucchi stops Dejan Stankovic's shot with his arm., it would have been a draw, maybe.

Anyway, taking the penalty spot is none other than Inter Savior Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.  Get sets, ready, shoot! There it is, gooooaaaalllllll.
FC Inter 1 - 0 Empoli

                      
                  

In the 38th minute, Referee Paolo Tagliavento  grants a penalty kick to Empoli after Inter defender Marco Materazzi commits a foul on Saudati.  Same Saudati takes the spot and goalkeeper Julio Cesar stopped the penalty! Wow, what a performance!  A wasted opportunity for Empoli to equalize the match.

                    
To make matters worse, in the 39th minute Referee Paolo Tagliavento  sent off Patrick Vieira, getting his second yellow card, for a challenge on Marianini and continue protesting.

Inter remains with 10 players for the third time!!!

Inter's victory and Roma's defeat, confirm Inter as the sole leader with 53 points while Roma is behind 8 points.


LINEUPS
Week 21 Italian Serie A Tim 2007 - 2008  Twenty first Round Matchday 21

Sunday, February 3, 2008
FC Inter 1  -  0 Empoli
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium

Referee:  Paolo Tagliavento (Terni)
Assistants: Petrella and De Luca
Fourth Official:  De Marco

Scorer: Ibrahimovic (pen) 34.

FC INTER

Goalkeeper: 12 Julio Cesar;
Defenders: 4 Zanetti, 16 Burdisso, 23 Materazzi, 26 Chivu;
Midfielders: 14 Vieira, 19 Cambiasso, 5 Stankovic (24 Rivas 49); 11 Jimenez (6 Maxwell 46);
Forwards: 8 Ibrahimovic, 9 Cruz (29 Suazo 56).

Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 18 Crespo, 28 Maniche, 30 Pelé.

Coach: Roberto Mancini.

EMPOLI

Goalkeeper: 1 Bassi,
Defenders: 46 Raggi, 16 Marzoratti (6 Abate 59), 2 Piccolo, 77 Antonini;
Midfielders: 8 Marianini, 5 Moro (11 Saudati 55), 10 Vannucchi (18 Giacomazzi 84), 32 Budel; 24 Buscè;
Forward: 9 Pozzi.

Subs not used: 23 Balli, 4 Rincon, 7 Tosto, 27 Volpato.

Coach: Alberto Malesani.

Booked: Vannucchi 33, Vieira 39, Cambiasso 53, Abate 65, Piccolo 71, Julio Cesar 74, Pozzi 80, Saudati 90+1.
Sent off: Vieira 39.