Inter 2 Empoli 1: Keita, Nainggolan secure Champions League berth in thriller

Posted Monday, May 27, 2019 by Goal.com

Keita Balde Diao and Radja Nainggolan were on target to ensure Inter will play Champions League football next season.

Empoli took full advantage of Mauro Icardi's penalty miss soon after, though, to level in the 76th minute through Hamed Junior Traore.

However, Nainggolan slotted home nine minutes from time and a hectic finish saw Inter defender Danilo D'Ambrosio clear against his own crossbar before Marcelo Brozovic had a goal ruled out by VAR after Keita fouled Dragowski – rushing back to his own goal from a corner – to earn the forward a second yellow and consequent red card.

Inter finish a point above city rivals AC Milan in fourth, while Empoli make an immediate return to Serie B after Genoa's 0-0 draw away at Fiorentina.

Inter started on the front foot and were denied an opener after 10 minutes when Dragowski superbly tipped Ivan Perisic's 20-yard drive wide.

Keita was introduced at the break and the Senegal international made an immediate impact, curling into Dragowski's bottom-right corner from 20 yards in the 51st minute.

Icardi then had the chance to double Inter's advantage shortly after the hour-mark when referee Luca Banti – after a VAR review – deemed Dragowski to have brought him down inside the penalty area. The Argentina international's weak spot-kick was comfortably kept out by the Empoli goalkeeper, however.

The visitors took full advantage of that reprieve when Traore ghosted in at the back post to tap in Salih Ucan's low cross.

Inter came roaring back, though, and Nainggolan slotted into an empty net after Matias Vecino's shot had cannoned back off the post.

Empoli came agonisingly close to denying Inter – and preserving their Serie A status – in the closing stages, D'Ambrosio striking his own crossbar from just five yards out and Handanovic thwarting Ucan from close range.

Brozovic thought he had scored a third deep into stoppage time but his effort from the halfway line was ruled out by VAR after Keita had pulled down the backtracking Dragowski, who had gone forward for a corner.

The Inter forward received a second yellow card for the offence but it will do little to detract from a precious win for the Nerazzurri.