Empoli are aiming to climb as far away from the relegation zone as possible with decent results as they take on an in-form AC Milan side.
Empoli have some serious problems brewing in the background as they continue to slip towards the relegation zone; Heading into the weekend, Roberto D’Aversa’s side faces an AC Milan side against who Empoli have not managed even to score a goal in their last three meetings, let alone win games.
In fact, Empoli have yet to win a single Serie A game against Milan at their home ground in 32 attempts, which does call for an immediate need to change that ongoing dismal record. However, their main aim coming into this weekend would be to find a way to extend their gap over their relegation rivals, as Empoli are sitting a single point and two places of 18th-placed Parma.
Meanwhile, AC Milan are in a bit of a purple patch, especially with a crucial UEFA Champions League game coming up next week against Feyenoord. While they were in a good position to finish in the top eight late in the league phase, the Rossoneri had to be content with a place outside of it and now will engage in the playoff round to reach the last 16.
On to domestic matters and since losing to Juventus in the league, Milan have gone five games unbeaten in all competitions. Their last two clashes include a draw against title-chasing Inter Milan, while they progressed in the Coppa Italia with a big win over Roma at the San Siro.
Heading away from home, Milan are eager to get back into the running for a top four place as a title may seem out of order in their thinking. They are currently eighth in the standings and seven points adrift of fourth-placed Fiorentina. There are still plenty of games left and moments to come in the season, and Sergio Conceicao will want consistency from his players.
Team News & Tactics
Empoli
Empoli have a rather long list of long-term absentees, with Ola Solbakken, Pietro Pellegri, Nicolas Haas, Saba Sazonov, and Tyronne Ebuehi all out of contention at the moment. Three other starters are a big doubt coming into this game against AC Milan, as Tino Anjorin, Jacopo Fazzini, and Ardian Ismajli are facing late tests but are deemed doubtful for the game.
Alberto Grassi and Giuseppe Pezzella are the only ones providing some respite to Roberto D’Aversa as they return from suspension. However, Empoli lost Youssef Maleh to a one-game ban after his sending-off against Juventus.
Inter Milan-owned Sebastiano Esposito and AC Milan loanee Lorenzo Colombo are the players to lead the line for Empoli as D’Aversa hopes to find a way past the Rossoneri defence.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Vasquez; Goglichidze, Marianucci, Viti; Gyasi, Henderson, Grassi, Pezzella; Cacace, Esposito; Colombo
AC Milan
AC Milan were boosted by the performance of their two newest recruits, Joao Felix and Santiago Gimenez, as Sergio Conceicao could name at least one of those in his starting lineup. Fellow arrivals Riccardo Sottil and Warren Bondo are also set to be available for this trip, although they are unlikely to start.
Kyle Walker is nailed on for the right-back role. In terms of injuries, Milan are still without Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Emerson Royal and Alessandro Florenzi, while Alvaro Morata has departed to join Galatasaray in Turkey.
Overall, the team setup may look familiar, with the exception of Gimenez replacing Morata on the frontline. He will have the support of Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao. Conceicao will probably go with a three-man midfield unit with Yunus Musah, Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders operating in the middle.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Maignan; Walker, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Musah, Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Gimenez, Leao
Key Stats
Player to Watch
Santiago Gimenez
AC Milan might have seen the prowess of Tammy Abraham against his former side AS Roma, scoring a brace, but he is not designed to be their starting striker at the moment. The departure of Alvaro Morata may have opened the door for the Englishman briefly, but the arrival of Gimenez certainly closed that immediately.
Gimenez has already made an impact in the frontline by laying down the assist for fellow debutant Joao Felix to score the third goal against AS Roma. However, the Mexican is more designed to lead the line for Milan and be the direct replacement for Morata in terms of the pecking order. He will have a promising first Serie A game against Empoli, which will give him a chance to shine.
Prediction
Empoli 0-2 AC Milan
Empoli have a dismal recent record against AC Milan, while they have not won 32 meetings with the Rossoneri at this venue. They are also under pressure to move as far away from the relegation zone as possible, which will cause them more harm than good.
Milan are once again picking up momentum, which could see Sergio Conceicao use this Empoli clash to build more confidence in his players. The Rossoneri are expected to win this clash comfortably and stay close in the top-four race, as they will also keep a clean sheet against Empoli.
