Stadio San Siro is the venue as defending Serie A champions Milan and perennial bottom-half strugglers Empoli go head-to-head on Friday night. The Rossoneri reignited their faltering bid to secure a third straight top-four finish with a rampant performance at runaway leaders Napoli last weekend and will be looking to pick up where they left off.
Following a dismal four-match winless run in all competitions (D2, L2), Milan returned to winning ways with an emphatic 4-0 victory at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday. Rafael Leao scored on either side of halftime to inspire Stefano Pioli’s side to a confidence-boosting triumph, but they’ll have to stay consistent if they’re to put pressure on second-placed Lazio.
Still four points off Maurizio Sarri’s side, Milan will take the field frantically looking over their shoulders, with fifth-placed Roma breathing down their necks. Indeed, only one point separates the sides ahead of this round, highlighting the importance of winning this clash. Three points against sub-par rivals would also set the Rossoneri up perfectly for their mouth-watering Champions League quarter-final tie against Napoli next week.
Like their hosts, Empoli enjoyed a triumphant last round as they eked out a 1-0 victory at fellow bottom-half underachievers Lecce. Gli Azzurri’s home showdown against the Giallorossi had to be delayed for an hour due to extraordinary circumstances, seeing both sides evacuated for a small fire in the dressing rooms. Yet, that fiery start seems to have benefited Paolo Zanetti’s side.
Francesco Caputo’s penalty midway through the second half fired Empoli to their first Serie A win since January, ending a wasteful run of eight league games without winning (D3, L5). But if you’re a fan of omens, Empoli’s last top-flight victory before the abovementioned beating of Lecce saw them topple Milan’s arch-rivals Inter at San Siro.
Match Preview
Milan
Milan could only manage a lackluster 1-1 draw against Salernitana in their most recent home league outing after winning two in a row without conceding beforehand. Interestingly, the Rossoneri have beaten Empoli without conceding in their last two top-flight encounters on home turf. Therefore, they’ll be confident about extending their four-game unbeaten home run in all competitions (W3, D1).
Playing on Friday will only increase their confidence. Among sides to have played at least three Serie A games on this day, Milan boast the lowest loss percentage, having lost just two of their 22 such contests (9%). Moreover, with six victories in their last nine home league matches (D2, L1), the Rossoneri seem ready to tackle bigger challenges at San Siro, especially after netting 2+ goals on seven occasions in that period.
Player to Watch: Rafael Leao
Leao’s jaw-dropping showing at Napoli qualifies him for our ‘Player to Watch’ section, but it goes beyond that. The Portuguese ace chipped in with a goal and an assist as Milan left it late to beat Empoli 3-1 in the reverse fixture in October.
Empoli
In stark contrast to Milan’s near-flawless Serie A record on Friday, Empoli have developed a habit of flopping on this day. They have mustered just one win in their last eight top-flight outings played on Friday (D1, L6), including a 2-1 defeat at Atalanta in March. It’s not the only thing Zanetti has to worry about ahead of this trip.
Empoli are winless on their last four Serie A road trips (D1, L3), conceding precisely twice in each defeat. Their travel sickness doesn’t bode well for Empoli’s pipe dream of winning back-to-back league games for only the second time this season. But on the only previous occasion, the second win came at San Siro against Inter.
Player to Watch: Martin Satriano
Inter loanee Martin Satriano could make it an unforgettable ‘homecoming’ as his only two Serie A goals this season have come on hostile soil. The 22-year-old last scored away to Monza in early March, so motivation shouldn’t be in short supply.
Team News
Milan superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic cannot catch a break. After scoring in his first Serie A start of the season against Udinese, the Swede sustained a thigh injury and won’t be available for selection. Likewise, Pierre Kalulu and Junior Messias may have to sit out this clash due to minor fitness problems.
On the other hand, Empoli will be without experienced defender Lorenzo Tonelli and first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. Luckily for Zanetti, they’ll be the only absentees.
Milan vs Empoli Potential Lineups
Milan (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Davide Calabria, Simon Kjaer, Fikayo Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Ismael Bennacer, Sandro Tonali; Brahim Diaz, Rade Krunic, Rafael Leao; Olivier Giroud
Empoli (4-3-1-2): Samuele Perisan; Tyronne Ebuehi, Koni De Winter, Sebastiano Luperto, Fabiano Parisi; Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro, Razvan Marin, Filippo Bandinelli; Tommaso Baldanzi; Francesco Caputo, Martin Satriano.
Milan vs Empoli Prediction
Milan would’ve probably won this clash with a blindfold last season, but they might have to grind out three points here. However, we still expect the Rossoneri to live up to their pre-match favorite tag and tighten the noose on Lazio.
Prediction: Milan Win
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