Inter Milan's Alexis Sanc𝔍hez, right, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Empoli at the San Siro Sꦏtadium, in Milan, Italy.
Inter Milan restored their 14-point lead at the top of Serie A as a goal in each half from Federico Dimarco and substitute Alexis Sanchez helped them to a 2-0 win against struggling Empoli at San Siro. Sanchez had been on the pitch for only four minutes when he converted a cross from Denzel Dumfries in the 81st minute, sealing the victory after Dimarco had lashed home an instinctive first-time volley early in the first half to give the home side the lead. Meanwhile, Bologna blanked Salernitana 3-0 to take another step towards UEFA Champions League qualification. The eighth win in nine games for Thiago Motta's side pushed it to within two points of third-placed Juventus. A fourth-place finish would ensure Bologna of a Champions League berth for the first time.
Inter Milan's Alexis Sanc𝔍hez, right, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Empoli at the San Siro Sꦏtadium, in Milan, Italy.
Inter Milan's Alexis San👍chez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Empoli at the Sa🌸n Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy.
Empoli's Razvan Marin is challenged by Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni, right, during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Empoli at thওe San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy.
Inter Milan's Marcus Thuram, right, is challenged by Empoli's Bartosz Bereszynski during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan an꧟d Empoli at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy.
Inter Milan's Federico D🌳imarco, right, has his shot blocked by Emp⛎oli's Emmanuel Gyasi during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Empoli at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy.
Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni, right, is challenged by Empoli's Mbaye Niang during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Empoli at the San S🌸iro Stadium, in Milan, Italy.
Empoli's Sebastiano Lu꧂perto, left, is challenged by Inter Milan's Marcus Thuram during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Empoli at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy.
Inter Milan's Nicolo Barella, left, and Empoli's Simone Baston𒉰i vie for the ball during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Empoli at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy.
Inter Milan's Federico Dimarco celebrates a🌳fter scoring his side's opening goal during the Serie A sꦚoccer match between Inter Milan and Empoli at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy.
Empoli's goalkeeper Elia Caprile saves a header by Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez, left, duri🌌ng the Serie A soccer 𝄹match between Inter Milan and Empoli at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy.