A superb second-half display secures the points for Milan. The first half was a tight affair: Milan made a fast start through Kessie, only for a Bajrami volley to instantly peg them back. Empoli were playing with plenty of confidence following a five-match unbeaten run and had chances to take the lead through Pinamonti and Cutrone. But Milan edged in front just before the interval when Kessie's shot squirmed in to make it two for the midfielder. The visitors were dominant in the second 45 though and blew Empoli away. First, Florenzi squeezed in a free-kick to make it 3-1, before Theo made it four with a powerful volley. Empoli got a consolation goal late on through Pinamonti, but it wasn't enough and Milan ran out 4-2 winners.
With Napoli suffering a suprise defeat to Spezia, Milan climb up to second - four points behind Inter. Empoli, meanwhile, remain in ninth.
That's all for now though, goodbye!
Cronaca
Formazioni
Statistiche
90'+7'
FULL-TIME: Empoli 2-4 Milan22:40
90'+6'
Off the bar! Saelemaekers' free-kick falls to Alessio Romagnoli 25 yards out. The defender thumps a speculative volley back at goal and it dips ferociously onto the bar and behind!22:46
90'+4'
Empoli are winning corner after corner but they just can't find a way through.22:36
90'+2'
Five minutes of stoppage time are added on.22:34
90'+1'
Pinamonti receives a pass on the edge of the box, but he can't create enough space to shoot and he blasts an effort against Tomori. The resulting corner amounts to nothing.22:34
89'
Empoli are still pushing hard to get back into this game. First, Pinamonti pressurises Tomori into anxiously heading behind, before Bajrami's dangerous corner is hacked clear.22:32
87'
That will most likely only be a consolation goal for Empoli, but they've deserved it after an exciting, attacking display.22:30
85'
Ricci also heads off with Stulac taking his place.22:29
85'
Two more changes for Empoli as they look for more energy. The first sees Henderson depart for Asllani in midfield.22:29
84'
Pinamonti pulls one back for Empoli! 4-2. Pinamonti cooly steps up and sends Maignan the wrong way, before slotting it calmly into the right corner!
Penalty to Empoli! Bakayogo awkwardly handles a corner and initially the referee waves play on. However, after a VAR check, the referee decides to award a spot-kick to the hosts!22:27
81'
Bennacer also departs with Krunic coming on.22:25
81'
Two more changes for Milan. The first sees Messias makes way for Diaz in attack.22:25
80'
Bennacer cynically pulls over Bajrami to halt a promising counter for the hosts. He's deservedly shown a yellow card. 22:24
79'
Saelemaekers collects a cute flick from Giroud and darts past Ricci before bending a strike wide from 25 yards.22:21
77'
Chance! Henderson finds himself with a little space near the touchline and shapes in an inviting cross towards La Mantia. The striker arrives at the back post but can only divert it wide from close range!22:20
75'
Henderson drills a low effort across goal from 20 yards but it trickles comfortably wide.22:18
73'
Saelemaekers has been at the heart of everything for Milan today. The Belgian's created three chances, taken two shots and won five fouls in a dynamic attacking display.22:18
71'
This has been a superb second-half display from Milan. This game was finely poised at half-time, but the visitors have blown Empoli away since then.22:16
69'
Theo makes it four! 4-1 Milan. That should seal it for the visitors. Saelemaekers whips in another inviting cross from his right foot and it bounces off Marchizza's arm before falling to Theo. The wingback composes himself, before thundering in a volley from six yards.
Cutrone also departs with La Mantia coming on.22:13
68'
Zurkowski makes way for Bandinelli as Empoli makes two more changes.22:12
67'
Save! Zurkowski lets fly from 25 yards and it takes a deflection off Kalulu, before Maignan adjusts to push it away! That was a superb save.22:12
65'
Tonali also makes way with Bakayoko coming on.22:09
65'
Florenzi is immediately replaced by Kalulu following that goal.22:09
63'
And Florenzi makes it 3-1! Milan extend their lead. Saelemaekers is tripped by Simone Romagnoli, presenting Milan with a promising free-kick 25 yards from goal. Florenzi steps up and curls a weak strike that sneaks through the wall before nestling into the bottom corner! The wall simply crumbled, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
Simone Romagnoli is shown a yellow card after tripping Saelemaekers on the edge of the box.22:07
60'
Cutrone takes down Luperto's long pass over the top and for a moment it looks very exciting for the hosts, but the linesman raises his flag for offside.22:04
58'
Empoli are pushing hard for an equaliser, but since Cutrone's chance they've struggled to carve out clear openings.22:01
56'
Henderson lays it off to Bajrami with a neat pass, but his shot is charged down by Bennacer.22:00
54'
Milan win a promising free-kick near the touchline, but Tonali's delivery is easily claimed by Vicario.21:59
52'
This has been an incredibly open game so far, with plenty of chances for both teams. Empoli have produced nine shots already while Milan have managed 12.21:56
50'
OFF THE BAR! Cutrone jinks past Tomori and Florenzi with one move and finds himself with a clean shot at goal from six yards! However, Cutrone absolutely blasts it against the underside of the bar and ricochets to safety.21:52
48'
Milan make an imposing start to the half, but their first move falls apart as Kessie slips at the vital moment.21:50
46'
Stojanovic makes way for Marchizza at the break.21:50
46'
Milan kick off the second half.21:50
Milan struggled to deal with Empoli's front two in that half and will need to tighten up at the back if they're to hold onto their current lead after the break.21:37
Milan take a narrow lead into the break. The visitors started this game in ideal fashion when Kessie latched onto Giroud's lay-off to drill a low finish beyond Vicario. But Empoli attacked well throughout the first half and they quickly responded when Bajrami fired a brilliant volley past Maignan. From there, the rest of the first 45 was an end-to-end affair. But Milan edged in front just before the break when Kessie's strike from a tight angle squirmed through Vicario. This one isn't over yet though, and if Empoli replicate that performance in the second half they could still get something today.21:36
45'+3'
HALF-TIME: Empoli 1-2 Milan21:34
45'+2'
CLOSE! Giroud gets to Saelemaekers' corner first, but he can only nudge a close-range effort straight at Vicario!21:33
45'+1'
Save! Saelemaekers cuts inside before rifling a 20-yard strike towards the near post that Vicario tips behind!21:33
45'
Chance! Zurkowski pokes it into Cutrone inside the box and the striker swivels before firing a low effort that Maignan pushes to safety!21:31
44'
That's a crucial goal for Milan just before the break. This game was hanging in the balance, but Kessie's stepped up again for the visitors.21:30
42'
It was a neat pass from Saelemaekers, but surely even he didn't expect Kessie to beat the goalkeeper from that angle!21:30
42'
KESSIE AGAIN! 2-1. Milan retake the lead. Saelemaekers plays a simple pass to Kessie inside the box, and the midfielder drives towards the byline before drilling a low shot through the legs of Vicario! It was a powerful strike, but the goalkeeper should have done better.
Tonali pulls back Cutrone and earns himself a yellow card.21:27
38'
SAVE! Pinamonti latches onto Parisi's clipped throughball and finds himself through on goal at an angle! The striker fires an awkward volley across goal, but Maignan is able to flick it behind at full stretch.21:23
36'
Bennacer's inswinging corner is cleared authoritatively by Ricci at the near post.21:21
34'
Parisi theatrically tumbles in the box under minimal pressure from Tonali. Tonali is furious with Parisi and the referee correctly opts to ignore any penalty call.21:19
32'
Luperto fires a long pass forwards and Pinamonti is able to knock it down for Cutrone. However, Alessio Romagnoli is alert to the danger and gets in to dispossess the attacker.21:18
30'
Luperto fouls Theo 30 yards from goal and Milan win a promising free-kick. Theo takes it himself and bends it well wide.21:15
28'
Kessie holds off Simone Romagnoli, before laying it off to Messias. The attacker cuts inside and slams a wild 20-yard strike high and wide,21:13
26'
The hosts look extremely confident again and Milan are struggling to contain them.21:11
24'
Empoli pour forward again. This time, Zurkowski latches onto Henderson's cute flick before wastefully side-footing a shot well wide from 25 yards.21:10
22'
Parisi goes down after tangling with Florenzi and there's a delay for treatment. However, he should be okay to continue.21:09
20'
Sure, Maignan had an obstructed view with a crowded penalty box. And it's true that Bajrami's strike surprised everyone. But Milan will be disappointed that he was beaten so easily by that strike.21:07
18'
GOALLL! BAJRAMI! 1-1. Milan's lead doesn't last long. The visitors fail to clear their lines and eventually Henderson is able to send another cross into the box. Kessie flicks it out to Bajrami who's waiting at a tight angle, 18 yards from goal. The attacker catches everyone out and fires a rasping effort that bobbles through Maignan before nestling low into the far corner!
Empoli look to regain control with a long spell of possession inside their own half.21:03
14'
Well, this is an ideal start for Milan. They defended well to absorb some early Empoli pressure but clinically took the lead once they'd settled into the game.21:02
12'
It was the sort of assist we've come to expect from Giroud. The striker cushioned a powerful cross and delicately rolled it back to Kessie who did the rest! Giroud is just excellent at linking play inside the box.21:01
12'
GOALLL! KESSIE! 1-0. Milan take an early lead. Saelemaekers whips in a wicked low cross and Giroud carefully lays it off to Kessie. The midfielder then promptly hits a first-time strike into the bottom corner from 12 yards!
Kessie wastefully hits a 30-yard effort high and wide.20:58
10'
Saelemaekers drills in a dangerous low cross, but Vicario is alert and pounces on it.20:58
9'
Theo picks out Messias with a precise cross and the attacker flicks it up, before hitting an awkward overhead-kick straight at Vicario from eight yards. 20:56
7'
Empoli have made a promising start and Milan will be wary about their recent home record. Empoli have won their last two home league games and could reach three wins in a row, at home in the competition, for the first time since December 2018.20:52
5'
Pinamonti fires in a low cross searching for Cutrone, but Tomori is there to knock it behind and the resulting corner amounts to nothing. Empoli are looking dangerous early on.20:50
3'
Chance! The hosts make a quick start. Stojanovic surges down the right flank and picks out Bajrami inside the box. The attacker takes a touch before lashing a 10-yard strike narrowly wide of the near post!20:49
1'
Empoli get the first half underway.20:46
The players are emerging from the tunnel and kick off is just seconds away!20:43
Empoli will be a tough opponent for Milan today, though. They're unbeaten in five Serie A games: the Tuscans have not recorded a longer unbeaten streak in the competition since March 2015 (eight).20:38
Milan also make four changes following a disappointing defeat to Napoli. Theo, Bennacer, Saelemaekers and Giroud come in for Ballo-Toure, Diaz, Krunic and Ibrahimovic.20:35
Empoli make four changes to the side that drew away at Spezia. The main news is that Di Francesco makes way for ex-Milan striker, Cutrone, up top. Aside from that change, Tonelli, Marchizza and Bandinelli drop out for Luperto, Parisi and Bajrami.20:33
SUBS: Pierre Kalulu Kyatengwa, Fode Ballo-Toure, Matteo Gabbia, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Ciprian Tatarusanu, Brahim Diaz, Samu Castillejo, Daniel Maldini, Antonio Mirante, Rade Krunic.20:30
MILAN (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Alessandro Florenzi, Fikayo Tomori, Alessio Romagnoli, Theo Hernandez; Sandro Tonali, Ismael Bennacer; Alexis Saelemaekers, Franck Kessie, Junior Messias; Olivier Giroud.20:29
SUBS: Federico Di Francesco, Mattia Viti, Kristjan Asllani, Leonardo Mancuso, Riccardo Marchizza, Jacopo Furlan, Leo Stulac, Lorenzo Tonelli, Filippo Bandinelli, Andrea La Mantia, Samir Ujkani.20:26
EMPOLI (4-3-1-2): Guglielmo Vicario; Petar Stojanovic, Simone Romagnoli, Sebastiano Luperto, Fabiano Parisi; Liam Henderson, Samuele Ricci, Szymon Zurkowski; Nedim Bajrami; Andrea Pinamonti, Patrick Cutrone.20:26
Milan, meanwhile, are in third – but they’re stumbling right now. With two wins and two defeats from their last five games, they’ll be looking to shake off their inconsistency and gain three points in this one.20:21
Hello and welcome to live commentary of this Serie A fixture between Empoli and Milan. The hosts enter this one in fine form: they’re unbeaten in five, during a run that’s featured three wins. They’ll be looking to build on this and shock the visitors today.20:15
Dove si gioca la partita:
Stadio: Carlo Castellani Città: Empoli Capienza: 19795 spettatori20:15
Empoli - Milan is a match of 19 day of the season Serie A 2021/2022. The match will be 22 december at 18:30 in the stadium Carlo Castellani in Empoli. Referee of Empoli - Milan will be Marco Di Bello with the help of Niccolò Pagliardini e Salvatore Affatato. At VAR there will be Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni.
Currently Empoli is 9° in the standings with 27 points (thanks of 8 wins, 3 draws and 8 defeats); while Milan is 2° in the standings with 42 points (thanks of 13 wins, 3 pareggi and 3 sconfitte). Empoli scored 30 goals and conceded 34; Milan scored 40 goals and conceded 22.
At home Empoli scored 10 points (3 wins, 1 draw and 6 losses). Away Milan scored 20 points (6 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss). Empoli in the last three matches of the season challenged Napoli, Spezia and Mil obtaining 4 points thanks to 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss. Milan in the last three matches of the season challenged Salernitana, Udinese and Napoli obtaining 4 points thanks to 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss. In the last match Empoli was against Milan losing 2-4 while Milan was against Napoli losing 0-1. The best scorer of the team coached by Aurelio Andreazzoli is Andrea Pinamonti with 7 goals while the best scorer of the team coached by Stefano Pioli is Zlatan Ibrahimovic with 7 goals.
Empoli and Milan competed 26 times in the league. In the previous matches Empoli won 3 times, Milan won 15 times while the number of draw was 8.
These are the statistics of the two teams in the matches played in the season:
Where to see Empoli-Milan You can see the live match Empoli-Milan here on Virgilio Sport starting 18:30 CET of 22 december. Discover who will broadcast live Empoli - Milan between Sky and Dazn.
