Carlo Ancelotti's side are 18 points behind runaway leaders Juventus with eight games to play.

The title will be decided this weekend if Juve beat AC Milan on Saturday and Napoli lose to Genoa the following day.

Piotr Zielinski smashed in a 30 yard equaliser after Diego Farias' deflected shot put Empoli in front, but Giovanni di Lorenzo got a 53rd-minute winner.

Inter Milan consolidated third place by thrashing Genoa 4-0, Striker Mauro Icardi returned to the side for the first time since February and scored from the penalty spot, while Roberto Gagliardini netted twice for the visitors.

Roma's hopes of claiming a Champions League spot suffered a setback after Claudio Ranieri's side drew 2-2 at home against Fiorentina, while Lazio suffered a surprise 1-0 loss at SPAL.