ROME (AFP) - Swedish international striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored both goals as champions Inter Milan beat Empoli 2-0 on Saturday to go top of Serie A.

Inter had endured a disappointing start to the season last weekend when they were held to a 1-1 draw at the San Siro by Udinese in a game where goalkeeper Julio Cesar was sent-off.

He was suspended Saturday which meant a rare start for the experienced Francesco Toldo, who was kept busy by the battling Empoli.

Inter, still missing injured pair Marco Materazzi and Patrick Vieira, were in front after 13 minutes when Ibrahimovic volleyed in a Maicon cross.

Empoli had a penalty appeal turned down after 15 minutes when Luca Saudati was sandwiched between Ivan Cordoba and Walter Samuel, but the referee waved play on.

The home side continued to press in the second half and Toldo was called upon to keep out a Davide Moro drive and then denied Vittorio Tosto and Nicola Pozzi in quick succession.

But against the run of play Inter made sure of the three points with seven minutes remaining.

Dejan Stankovic combined with substitute Luis Figo down the right and Cesar touched on for the unmarked Ibrahimovic to sidefoot home.

Inter's city rivals AC Milan must wait until Monday to play Fiorentina having wrapped up the European Super Cup against Sevilla in Monaco on Friday.

On Sunday, Juventus, who topped the league on goal difference ahead of AC Milan at the start of the weekend, go to Cagliari who beat promoted Napoli 2-0 in their season opener last Sunday.

Cagliari's defence however will have to be focused on the threat of in-form French striker David Trezeguet who hit a hat-trick for Juve in their 5-1 thrashing of Livorno.

Like Juventus, Roma face another side which is being tipped for relegation in Siena.

Roma won the corresponding fixture 1-0 last year, and the fans at the Olympic stadium will be keeping a keen eye on midfield maestro Alberto Aquilani, who scored a superb long-range effort to seal the points against Palermo last week.