Inter Milan continued their march towards the Serie A title with a solid 2-0 victory over struggling Empoli, maintaining their 14-point lead at the summit of the league table. The win, secured at the San Siro, sees Inter requiring just 11 more points from eight matches to clinch their 20th Italian league crown, staying ahead of second-placed AC Milan.

The early breakthrough came courtesy of Federico Dimarco's clinical finish after just five minutes, setting the tone for Inter's dominance. Substitute Alexis Sanchez sealed the victory with a goal nine minutes from time, delighting the home fans.

Dimarco's goal, orchestrated by Alessandro Bastoni's precise pass, showcased Inter's reliance on their academy product and solid team play. Despite not displaying their peak form, Inter's resilience since the Champions League exit has been commendable, with Monday's win serving as a testament to their character.

The match also marked Francesco Acerbi's return to the pitch after being cleared of racially abusing Napoli defender Juan Jesus. Empoli, on the other hand, faced their fourth consecutive defeat without scoring a goal, finding themselves back in the relegation zone.

In another fixture, Bologna strengthened their Champions League aspirations with a commanding 3-0 victory over Salernitana. Stunning goals from Riccardo Orsolini and Alexis Saelemaekers, along with Charalampos Lykogiannis' late strike, propelled Bologna to fourth place in the Serie A standings. Thiago Motta's side's impressive form has not only put them in contention for a historic Champions League berth but has also closed the gap with Juventus, who sit just two points ahead.