Inter Milan beat Empoli 2-1 to secure 4th spot in Serie A

MILAN: Inter Milan beat Empoli 2-1 in the penultimate round to mathematically secure fourth spot in Serie A on Saturday and a berth in the Europa League.

Inter knew it could not finish higher than fourth but ensured it moved seven points clear of fifth-place Fiorentina, which has two games left.

Mauro Icardi fired Inter into an early lead after Ivan Perisic squared the ball to him.

Manuel Pucciarelli leveled in the 37th but Perisic restored Inter's lead just three minutes later after Stevan Jovetic's effort was spilled by Alberto Pelagotti.

Icardi will likely play no part in the final round after the Inter captain limped off in the second half with a suspected thigh strain.

AC Milan visited Bologna late.