Serie A strugglers Empoli dented Inter Milan’s Champions League qualifying hopes after holding Roberto Mancini’s side to a scoreless draw on Saturday.

Inter travelled to the Carlo Castellani stadium looking to claim a second consecutive win for the first time under Mancini since the former Manchester City and Galatasaray handler returned to the club for his second spell in charge in November.

But in the end the Nerazzurri were lucky to escape with a share of the points as the hosts made their intentions clear from the outset, forcing Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic into a number of saves.

Inter were left in ninth position and are now 17 points behind leaders and champions Juventus ahead of the rest of the weekend fixtures, while Empoli remained 15th, sitting four points above the drop zone.

Handanovic parried an an early Elseid Hysaj strike and from then on Empoli dominated, with Inter’s first chance coming through Fredy Guarin’s wayward drive on 37 minutes.

Inter captain and defender Andrea Ranocchia was forced off with a knee problem on the stroke of half time, to be replaced by Marco Andreolli, and although they showed more promise after the restart, the visitors were sorely lacking in ideas.

Nemanja Vidic came close when he skimmed Luigi Sepe’s post from a corner, then striker Rodrigo Palacio saw a diving header flash just off target.

Inter had Handanovic to thank for saving them twice in succession as the hosts pressed, the Slovenian tipping a Manuel Pucciarelli drive to safety and then saving another effort from the striker with his feet.

Former Bayern Munich forward Xherdan Shaqiri made his Inter debut when he replaced Lukas Podolski on 74 minutes and offered a rare glimmer of hope in the late stages with a shot that was charged down by defender Daniele Rugani.

Title challengers Roma, who sit three points behind champions and leaders Juventus ahead of Verona’s visit to Turin on Sunday, are away to Palermo in Saturday’s late game.