Inter Milan's Alexis Sanchez, right, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Empoli at the San Siro Stadium, 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 Sanchez, right, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Empoli at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy.
Inter Milan's Alexis Sanchez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Empoli at the San 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 the 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 and Empoli at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy.
Inter Milan's Federico Dimarco, right, has his shot blocked by Empoli'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 Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy.
Empoli's Sebastiano Luperto, 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 Bastoni 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 after scoring his side's opening goal during the Serie A soccer 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, during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Empoli at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy.