No Serie A blanks for Inter since Mancini’s return
Roberto Mancini’s men have scored in every league fixture since his return to the helm: 12 goals in seven outings, averaging 1.71 per match.
Guarin’s turnaround
One of the big changes under Mancini has been Fredy Guarin’s revival: the Colombian has clocked up 706 minutes over eight games, more than any other outfield player in the same period. When Walter Mazzarri was relieved of his duties, Guarin had played 457 minutes, featuring eight times.
No Serie A goals at the Castellani in two months
Empoli’s last three home games in Serie A have all finished goalless, against Atalanta, Torino and Hellas Verona. It’s been more than two months (306 minutes of action) since the home crowd last cheered a goal by Sarri’s side (Maccarone in the 54th minute of Empoli 2-1 Lazio on 9 November). They haven’t conceded at home in the league for 294 minutes either (Djordjevic in the 66th minute of the same match). If we take into account the 2-0 Coppa Italia victory over Genoa as well, Empoli’s rearguard hasn’t been breached for 384 minutes at the Stadio Castellani.
213 minutes since last league goal
Empoli are yet to score in 2015. A 0-0 draw with Hellas Verona at home and last weekend’s 1-0 reverse against Sampdoria at the Marassi means they haven’t hit the net for 213 minutes. Their last goal was scored by Tonelli in the 57th minute of a 1-1 draw at Fiorentina on 21 December.
Empoli winless in six – their worse run in 2014/15
Maurizio Sarri’s men are on their longest run without a win this season, having failed to pick up all three points in six games (five draws and a defeat). Their most recent triumph came on 23 November, 2-0 over Parma.
Verdi and Pucciarelli to hit triple figures?
If they play tonight, Simone Verdi and Manuel Pucciarelli will both make their 100th appearances in professional football. Verdi, who has donned the colours of AC Milan, Torino, Juve Stabia and Empoli, has played 19 times in Serie A, 72 in Serie B and eight in the Coppa Italia since making his first-team debut in the cup for the Rossoneri on 13 January 2010 (a 2-1 win over Novara). Pucciarelli’s tally includes 17 top-flight appearances, 60 in Serie B, 17 in Lega Pro and five in the Coppa Italia, playing for Empoli and Gavorrano. He made his bow on 29 May 2011 in Vicenzo 1-1 Empoli (Serie B).
Something in the half-time oranges?
Empoli are rampant at the start of the second half: they have scored seven of their 17 goals (41%) between the 46th and 60th minute.
Birthday for Tonelli
Empoli defender Lorenzo Tonelli, born on 17 January 1990 in Florence, turns 25 today.
First match-up for coaches
Maurizio Sarri and Roberto Mancini have never faced each other in opposite dugouts before.
Sarri’s first time against the Nerazzurri
Maurizio Sarri is taking on Inter for the first time in his coaching career.
One defeat in 14 for Mancini against Empoli
Today will be Roberto Mancini’s 15th match against Empoli since he turned to coaching and he boasts an impressive record: W12, D1, L1. His sides haven’t conceded at the Castellani since the day of his only defeat: Empoli 0-1 Inter on 30 April 2006. That game was decided in the 90th minute by an astonishing Marco Materazzi own goal from the halfway line.
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