Inter beats Empoli, closes in on title

2nd Test, day 5, FanCode, 9.30 a.m.

Sports 18-1 (SD & HD) & Jio Cinema App, 7.30 p.m.

Star Sports 1 (SD & HD) & Jio Cinema App, 7.30 p.m. SS Select 1, 2 & Hotstar, 12 a.m. (Thursday).

Runaway leader Inter Milan continued its seemingly unstoppable march to the Serie A title after an early goal from Federico Dimarco and a late effort from Alexis Sanchez secured a 20 win at home against Empoli on Monday.

Inter is on top of the table with 79 points, 14 ahead of city rival AC Milan with eight matches left to play. Empoli is 18th with 25 points. The result pushed Empoli into the relegation zone, level on points with Frosinone in 17th and one point ahead of 19thplaced Sassuolo.

Dimarco broke the deadlock for Inter in the sixth minute when he fired the ball leftfooted into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Ebb and flow

The rest of the first half ebbed and flowed, with Inter pressing to extend its lead, and Empoli goalkeeper Elia Caprile standing firm to deny.

Yet, Empoli gained momentum towards the end of the half, creating chances that were narrowly off target.

Inter came back with renewed vigour after the break and Nicolo Barella was inches away from scoring after beating three Empoli defenders.

Substitute Sanchez was left unmarked to tap home Denzel Dumfries’ cross and double Inter’s lead in the 81st minute after a flowing passing move from the host.

Davide Frattesi almost grabbed a third for Inter with the last kick of the match, but the ball slipped just past the post.

Atletico posts win

In LaLiga, Substitute Saul Niguez scored a late winner to give Atletico Madrid a hardfought 21 victory at Villarreal, as Diego Simeone’s side climbed back into the top four with eight games left in the season.

It was a much needed win for Atletico after two consecutive losses and two wins in its last seven league matches had left it in danger of missing out on a Champions League spot next season.

The results: LaLiga: Villarreal 1 (Sorloth 50) lost to Atletico Madrid 2 (Witsel 9, Saul 87).

Serie A: Inter Milan 2 (Dimarco 6, Sanchez 81) bt Empoli 0; Lecce 0 drew with Roma 0.