Referee Matteo Marcenaro just blew for the full-time at San Siro! With a mouth-watering Champions League quarter-final tie against Napoli waiting in the wings, Pioli fielded an understrength line-up. It proved a poor judgment as Empoli defended strongly and with purpose.
Milan had a nightmarish first half. But though they improved after the break, the visitors’ backline stood firm, with goalkeeper Perisan enjoying the game of his life. The Rossoneri squandered a massive chance to solidify their top-four pursuit and could finish the round in fourth should Roma win at Torino on Saturday.
Minute 99: It’s Over! Milan Held by Empoli
Despite sending almost the entire line-up into Empoli’s box, Milan failed to break down the visitors’ defense and will have to settle for a dismal point.
Minute 89: Double-decker Bus Falls Apart! Or Not?
Well, Empoli had it coming! Time-wasting techniques and a lack of ambition to go forward finally backfired on Gli Azzurri.
Olivier Giroud pounced on Florenzi’s cross on the back post and struck the ball into the net! After a VAR review, referee Marcenaro ruled the goal out for a handball!
Minute 88: Diaz Wastes a Sitter
It was a glorious opportunity for Milan to break the deadlock. Brahim Diaz broke one-on-one with Perisan and tried to curl the ball into the far bottom corner, but the Empoli stopper denied him with another sensational save.
Minute 83: Current Shots on Goal – Milan 17 v Empoli 0
It’s frustrating to be a Milan fan in these moments.
Minute 76: Woodwork Saves Empoli
So close! Second-half substitute Alessandro Florenzi is left fuming after his half-volley rattled off the near post! The Rossoneri are pushing but cannot find the opener.
Minute 70: Origi & Rebic Out; Giroud & Leao In
The clock is ticking for Milan. There’s no time to play games anymore as Pioli introduces his heavy hitters.
Minute 60: Houston We Have a Problem!
After awarding a penalty to Milan at first look, referee Matteo Marcenaro overturned his initial decision after consulting with the side-pitch monitor, leaving Pioli’s side on the edge of despair.
Minute 58: Another Milan Chance Goes Begging
Origi found himself unmarked inside Empoli’s six-yard box after Theo Hernandez headed the ball goalwards, but he failed to connect with the ball as another decent chance for Milan went begging.
Minute 50: Pobega Narrowly Off the Mark
Tommaso Pobega came close to breaking the deadlock from a mid-range distance, but his thunderous strike missed the mark by a whisker after taking a slight deflection on the way. Milan are intensifying the pressure.
Half Time: First Half to Forget
If you didn’t watch the first half, you saved 45 minutes of your life. Arguably one of the most uneventful opening halves at San Siro this season saw Pioli’s understrength line-up struggle to cope with Empoli’s double defensive block.
Except for Rebic’s miss in the early exchanges, the Rossoneri barely had a clear sight of Perisan’s goal. On the only positive note for Milan, they neutralized every attempt Empoli had to catch them on the counter without breaking a sweat.
As expected, Zanetti’s men never came close to putting Mike Maignan to the test. But if you ask the traveling coach, he’d sign up for a point at Milan any day of the week. One thing is clear – the second half cannot be worse than the first.
Half time.#MilanEmpoli #SempreMilan@Acqua_Lete pic.twitter.com/MWNc0F1lrC
— AC Milan (@acmilan) April 7, 2023
Minute 39: Tonali Warms Up Empoli Keeper
Despite eluding his marker with a brilliant first touch, Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali failed to generate enough power and placement as his shot from the edge of the penalty area posed no real threat to Empoli keeper Perisan.
Minute 13: Perisan To the Rescue Twice!
Empoli goalkeeper Samuele Perisan is the star of the show. After denying Ante Rebic in a one-on-one, the 25-year-old came up huge to thwart Theo Hernandez’s attempt from point-blank and avert the early danger.
Kick Off! Lock and Load
The match is off and running! Stay with us to find out who will prevail.
Milan vs Empoli Live Updates
San Siro forms the backdrop for a lopsided Serie A contest between top-four hopefuls Milan and mid-table minnows Empoli that’s about to kick off any minute now. Following Inter’s abysmal 1-1 draw at Salernitana earlier today, the reigning champions could consolidate their top-four case with another league double over Gli Azzurri.
Milan left it late to dispatch Empoli 3-1 in the reverse fixture in Tuscany. But they are in a prime position to pull off a more comprehensive triumph tonight after claiming a morale-boosting 4-0 win over runaway leaders Napoli last weekend. Given Rafael Leao’s impressive display in southern Italy, it’s somewhat unfathomable that Stefano Pioli decided to bench him in favor of Ante Rebic.
Empoli’s visit to San Siro is also a rare opportunity for second-string striker Divock Origi to showcase his skills from the first minute. But Milan should never underestimate Paolo Zanetti’s side. After four straight league defeats, the visitors returned to winning ways with a 1-0 home win over Lecce on Monday. So they’re expected to take the field in high spirits.