Empoli vs Milan

Milan are forced to reshuffle amid an injury crisis in Empoli, but have Rafael Leao back with Olivier Giroud upfront.

[Sandro](https://football-italia.net/player/sandro/) Tonali and [Davide Calabria](https://football-italia.net/player/davide-calabria/) are available again, with Fode Ballo-Toure and [Ciprian Tatarusanu](https://football-italia.net/player/ciprian-tatarusanu/) stepping in. [Bologna](/teams/bologna), but [Ardian Ismajli](https://football-italia.net/player/ardian-ismajli/) picked up an injury playing for Albania. [Ante Rebic](https://football-italia.net/player/ante-rebic/) is back on the bench and Leao returns after suspension to lead the way with the indefatigable [Olivier Giroud](https://football-italia.net/player/olivier-giroud/), who also started both his Nations League matches for France. [Lorenzo Tonelli](https://football-italia.net/player/lorenzo-tonelli/) is still absent, though [Mattia Destro](https://football-italia.net/player/mattia-destro/) and [Tommaso Baldanzi](https://football-italia.net/player/tommaso-baldanzi/) are available again. [Mike Maignan](https://football-italia.net/player/mike-maignan/), [Junior Messias](https://football-italia.net/player/junior-messias/) and Theo Hernandez, adding to long-term absentees [Divock Origi](https://football-italia.net/player/divock-origi/), [Zlatan Ibrahimovic](https://football-italia.net/player/zlatan-ibrahimovic/) and [Alessandro Florenzi](https://football-italia.net/player/alessandro-florenzi/). [Milan](/teams/milan) are forced to reshuffle amid an injury crisis in [Empoli](/teams/empoli), but have [Rafael](https://football-italia.net/player/rafael/) Leao back with [Olivier Giroud](https://football-italia.net/player/olivier-giroud/) upfront.

Stefano Pioli has named his starting XI for AC Milan's clash against Empoli this evening, with five changes from the defeat to Napoli.

Ismael Bennacer gets the change alongside Sandro Tonali in the middle, and Rafael Leao is back from his suspension. Junior Messias wasn’t included in the squad either as he sustained a muscle injury during the training session yesterday. Ante Rebic will be on the bench tonight but Giroud, once again, has been named in the XI.

Leao is back but Hernandez is out. CDK needs to step up while Giroud needs to stay fit. Three crucial points and momentum on the line.

CDK has struggled to adapt to the league but this game is a good opportunity where he will have some room to navigate between the lines and create some magic. Bajrami on the other hand will be looking to take advantage of the gaps in the defending with potentially Kjaer and Ballo-Toure starting. Ballo-Toure does not often get the opportunity to impress Pioli thus he should really be looking to make an impact.

Milan started the game aggressively and kept up the intensity throughout the first half, but despite a number of chances could not beat Empoli goalkeeper ...

[Nedim Bajrami](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/player/_/id/252559/Nedim-Bajrami) thought he had rescued a point for Empoli two minutes into stoppage time with a goal from a free-kick, creating euphoria among the home fans. [Simon Kjaer](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/player/_/id/99987/Simon-Kjaer) also needed to go off in the 73rd minute due to an injury. [Napoli](/football/team?id=114). Only three minutes later, right back [Davide Calabria](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/player/_/id/194747/Davide-Calabria) needed to be carried off the field on a stretcher after a knock. "Calabria and Kjaer have muscular injuries, Calabria's is pretty serious. [Guglielmo Vicario](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/player/_/id/204082/Guglielmo-Vicario).

Milan started the game aggressively and kept up the intensity throughout the first half, but despite a number of chances could not beat Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, more (U.S.). Manager Stefano Pioli's ...

[Nedim Bajrami](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/252559/Nedim-Bajrami) thought he had rescued a point for Empoli two minutes into stoppage time with a goal from a free-kick, creating euphoria among the home fans. [Simon Kjaer](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/99987/Simon-Kjaer) also needed to go off in the 73rd minute due to an injury. [Napoli](/soccer/team?id=114). Only three minutes later, right back [Davide Calabria](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/194747/Davide-Calabria) needed to be carried off the field on a stretcher after a knock. "Calabria and Kjaer have muscular injuries, Calabria's is pretty serious. [Guglielmo Vicario](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/204082/Guglielmo-Vicario).

Milan beat Empoli 3-1 after four very late goals in a dramatic finish to move into the top four of Serie A. The champions started well and Rafael Leao ...

Only once did Milan manage to cut out an opposition pass in the Empoli half of the field. The Brazilian lets fly, but his just slides outside the Empoli goal. Pjaca completed six dribbles - more than any other player on the pitch - and constantly threatened to break through and score. The sight of four different players limping off - or being stretchered off - was a sobering reminder that top players this season are being asked to play far too much football. The rest of the first half was wrecked by a series of injuries. Bajrani had missed two huge chances, but when Empoli won a dangerous free kick in stoppage time, he stepped up and delivered a magnificent free kick.

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Milan prevailed over Empoli at the Stadio Castellani by a 3-1 score in Serie A matchday 8 to retain their third spot in the league table.

Rafael Leao completed the Rossoneri‘s stoppage time blitz with a fine chip that set the score at 1-3 and made Pioli breathe a sigh of relief. The Rossoneri dominated possession for most of the game but managed to open a breach in Empoli’s defense only 80 minutes into the game. The Portuguese was positioned beyond Empoli’s defensive line but was considered in play as he received the ball from a throw-in.

Gianluca Aureliano was the referee in charge of AC Milan's 3-1 win against Empoli last night. He handed the clash well, as a report highlights, ...

One of the key events happened in the 36th minute as Fode Ballo-Toure blocked a shot, which seemingly hit his arm. Empoli’s manager was subsequently warned for the protests but there’s nothing VAR can do, only Aureliano could have stopped the move live. However, it was in a natural position (for a sliding movement) and also close to his body.