Milan redemption. The Rossoneri pass with a clear 4-2 at Empoli and return to -4 in the standings from leaders Inter. The San Siro knockout against Napoli is already forgotten. A brace from Kessie in the first half, Florenzi’s first Rossoneri center and Theo Hernandez’s stamp gave Milan a victory that was missing in two games. Performance of great character by the guys from Pioli against an Empoli who, not later than two weeks ago, had beaten Napoli at Maradona and who again proved to be a worthy opponent tonight. The Tuscans showed the talent of the Swiss-Albanian Bajrami, who scored a great goal and a crossbar that could also have changed the outcome of the match. Pinamonti scored the goal of the flag on a penalty. Without Ibrahimovic, Pioli deploys Giroud in the middle of the attack and Kessie advances on the frontline alongside Messias and Saelemaekers. Bennacer sees himself in midfield alongside Tonali. Theo Hernandez is back in defense. In Empoli, Andreazzoli relies on the attacking couple made up of the former Cutrone and Pinamonti, with Bajrami behind him.
First half played at a high pace by both teams, with Empoli immediately dangerous with Bajrami. Milan tries to lean on the physicality of Giroud and Kessie to trigger the insertions of the midfielders and the winger. So after two good chances for Messias and Saelemaekers, Milan took the lead in the 12th minute with a first-intention right from the center of the area on Giroud’s perfect side. Hit cold, Empoli did not break down and at 18 ‘found the equalizer with a great right-footed counterbalance from Bajrami diagonally. On the wings of enthusiasm, the hosts try to put AC Milan on the ropes, which defends itself in an orderly way and then starts again. Shortly after the half hour, Empoli close to doubling with Pinamonti. Maignan is not surprised this time. Before the interval, he passes Milan again with Kessie. The Ivorian, after an exchange with Saelemaekers, throws a powerful low shot right that slips under the legs of a surprised Vicar. As before, Empoli immediately tried to reply with Cutrone, but Milan were saved. The Rossoneri also touched on the third goal first with Saelemaekers, then with Romagnoli in the fray.
Even in the second half the emotions flooded, Empoli immediately touched a draw with a sensational crossbar hit by the talented Bajrami. Having escaped the danger, Milan regained control of the game and in the 63rd minute found the goal of 3-1 with a nice free-kick from the edge by Florenzi who beats a immobile Vicario. Andreazzoli’s team feels the blow and after less than ten minutes also collects the fourth goal. The author is Theo Hernández, good at beating Vicario with a left-footed melee fly. Having secured the result, Milan took their breath away and put themselves in game control mode. But woe to let your guard down, because in the 84th minute Empoli shortens the distance with Pinamonti on a penalty awarded by the referee with the support of the Var for a foul by Bakayoko in the area. For the Tuscans, however, it is too late to reopen the game, the last thrill is in fact still from the Milan brand with a crossbar hit by Romagnoli right on the wire.
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