Farris: ‘Not easy for Inter to play with an asterisk’ in Scudetto battle

BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 26: Massimiliano Farris of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Bologna FC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on February 26, 2023 in Bologna, . (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Simone Inzaghi’s Inter assistant manager Massimiliano Farris insists it is ‘not easy to play with an asterisk’ in their Serie A table during the Scudetto battle with Napoli as they host Empoli tonight.

It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games on the Liveblog.

Coach Simone Inzaghi is in the stands this evening, as he sits out a touchline ban for the accumulation of yellow cards, so Farris will be on the bench.

This has been a rough start to 2025 for the Nerazzurri, who had been cruising towards the Supercoppa Italiana trophy in Riyadh with a 2-0 lead only to lose 3-2 to rivals Milan.

They were also held to a 2-2 midweek Serie A draw by Bologna, so are now six points behind leaders Napoli with two games in hand.

“It is not easy to play with an asterisk in the table, because people say we are virtually and potentially on these points, but the fact is Napoli are up there now and we can only focus on picking up three points this evening,” Farris told DAZN.

“Even if we don’t have time, we do try to study the opponents and are ready to face a side that presses high. The draw with Bologna might’ve left a bitter taste in the mouth, but we still put in a great performance against a very strong opponent. It is sad that we were unable to catch Napoli at the top on that occasion, but it was a good point.”

Inter spread thin over many tournaments

Along with injuries to Hakan Calhanoglu, Joaquin Correa and Yann Bisseck, Inter must also keep an eye on the upcoming Champions trip to Sparta Prague.

Mehdi Taremi and Kristjan Asllani step into the starting XI this evening against Empoli, two players who have not quite lived up to expectations yet.

“It is not easy to wear the Inter jersey, but Asllani has always given everything. His performances have never been negative,” added Farris.

“As for Taremi, we are convinced that he will also give his contribution in terms of goals, on top of the hard work and useful things that he does for the team.”

Farris does have a good primato of filling in for Inzaghi, so how does he feel tonight at San Siro?

“Being five metres forward on the touchline or five metres behind sitting on the bench feels like a different world. I feel the responsibility and am ready to give my best.”