Inter coach Stefano Pioli said his side’s 2-0 victory over Empoli without Mauro Icardi underlined the strength in depth at the club.

Captain Icardi was suspended for the game after kicking the ball in the direction of referee Nicola Rizzoli during Inter’s controversial 1-0 defeat at Juventus a week earlier, while Ivan Perisic was also banned having been sent off in that match.

“Icardi is a great player and I cannot wait to have him back, but that’s only him. There is a team that has shown it can grow and be able to get to a great level,” he told Mediaset Premium.

“Juventus-Inter is behind us, and we have demonstrated this by working with care and serenity.

“We must try to motivate ourselves, stay in touch with our ambitions and take the appropriate chances. The opponent was not easy and we had a good game. We reacted and I’m happy.”