ROSSONERI GRIND OUT WIN OVER EMPOLI

It was an afternoon for pragmatism at San Siro. AC Milan beat Empoli by the narrowest of margins to record their third win in just over a week and consolidate their position in the race for Champions League football. A 40th-minute Christian Pulisic goal decided today's 3 o'clock kick-off and took the USMNT international to double figures in all competitions this season, eight of which have come in the league. The Rossoneri secured three important points, especially given the context of this game being sandwiched in between both legs of our Europa League round of 16 tie with Slavia Praha.

There were plenty of positive signs on an afternoon that had a lot of potential to turn sour. AC Milan were solid (keeping their second straight clean sheet in the league) and had their defence bolstered by Tomori being restored to the starting line-up, as well as a return off the bench for Kalulu, who had been out since Napoli on 29 October. Okafor was at the heart of the action for the hosts and provided the assist for our goal in what was a very positive performance for our number 17. Another busy week awaits as the Rossoneri travel to Prague for the all-important second leg against Slavia before a trip to Verona next Sunday afternoon.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v EMPOLI

MATCH REPORT
The Rossoneri came out of the traps flying, putting Empoli on the ropes and creating several chances in the opening quarter of an hour: after four minutes, Jović was just beaten to the ball following an inviting cross in by an inspired Okafor; a minute later and Caprile got hands to Pulisic’s effort at the near post. Soon after, it was Caprile again who got just ahead of Okafor to knock the ball behind for a corner, while on twelve minutes it was Ismajli this time making a last-ditch diving header from Pulisic's cross for Okafor. In the middle part of the first half, the match slowed down, but triggering it back into life was Noah who, in the 32nd minute, cut back onto his stronger right foot and got a shot off without worrying Caprile. The Rossoneri’s persistence eventually paid off and in the 40th minute took the lead: it was the Swiss player again who got in behind down the left channel, squared the ball across to Pulisic and his left-footed strike took a slight deflection off Luperto to go into the net.

The second half started off with AC Milan in control of possession, with Empoli struggling to threaten. Just after the hour mark, Coach Pioli made a triple sub and the game opened up a little more. The first big chance of the second half fell to Chukwueze in the 66th minute, but the Nigerian’s attempt was blocked following a nice team counter-attack. In the 75th minute, Loftus went on a surging run forward, got to the box and angled a left-footed strike on goal that forced Caprile to make a good diving save to tip wide for a corner. It was us again in the 77th minute when Okafor lofted up an inviting cross for Calabria at the far post, but his header went over. The home side kept on looking to double their lead and on 79 minutes, Chukwu freed Musah, whose shot from the edge of the box flew well over. Empoli had two big chances through Destro in the dying stages, before Sammy again came close to scoring, only to be denied once again by an excellent Caprile for another corner. No more action was played and the final whistle blew to AC Milan 1-0 Empoli!

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 1-0 EMPOLI

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori (62' Kalulu), Hernández; Bennacer, Reijnders (62' Musah); Pulisic (62' Chukwueze), Loftus-Cheek, Okafor (90' Adli); Jović (73' Giroud). Subs.: Mirante, Sportiello; Gabbia, Kjær, Terracciano. Coach: Pioli. 

EMPOLI (4-3-2-1): Caprile; Ismajli (42' Bereszyński), Walukiewicz, Luperto, Pezzella (55' Cacace); Gyasi, Fazzini (55' Kovalenko), Maleh; Cambiaghi, Żurkowski (76' Cancellieri); Niang (76' Destro). Subs.: Berisha, Perisan; Bastoni, Ebuehi; Caputo, Cerri, Shpendi. Coach: Nicola.

Referee: Sacchi from Macerata.
Goal: 40' Pulisic (M)
Booked: 24' Fazzini (E), 26' Reijnders (M), 53' Pezzella (E), 65' Żurkowski (E), 80' Cancellieri (E)

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