ROSSONERI STRIKE LATE TO BEAT EMPOLI

Injuries, the woodwork, spurned chances, a late equaliser, AC Milan overcame them all. The Rossoneri emerge victorious at the Castellani on Serie A matchday 8 after beating Empoli 3-1. Their second away win of the season was accompanied by a vast array of emotions, especially late on. After Giroud’s shot struck the crossbar and three injuries in the first 70 minutes – Saelemaekers, Calabria and Kjær – the Rossoneri seemed to have won it after Rebić scored ten minutes from time.

Then, the hosts levelled it up, Bajrami slotting home from the free-kick. But this AC Milan side never gives up, they can overcome anything. Two minutes after conceding, Fodé Ballo-Touré scored his first goal for the Club before Rafael Leão added a third for the guests. It was an exciting way to begin a busy month of October as Pioli’s side go into a run of three tricky games: home and away against Chelsea, with Juventus at San Siro (Saturday at 18:00 CEST) sandwiched in between.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM EMPOLI v AC MILAN

MATCH REPORT
As well as Leão's return, and the expected inclusions of Tătăruşanu and Ballo-Touré, there was also a surprise selection with Kjær partnering Tomori in the centre of defence. The Rossoneri were looking to get forward from the first minute, with Leão forcing Vicario into a great save with his feet after eight minutes. The Portuguese's left-sided wing-play and high pressing made the away side look a real threat going forward. After 21 minutes, Rafa skipped past two defenders and played in Saelemaekers, but his low strike flew just past the far post. It was AC Milan again after 28 minutes with Giroud crossing for Leão, but he couldn't get his head on the ball with the net wide open. After the half-hour mark, Empoli finally had their first offering but Ballo-Touré defended excellently to stop Haas but soon after there were injuries for Saelemaekers and Calabria. At the end of the half, a couple of openings came to De Ketelaere and Leão, but they didn't produce the desired effect.

The home side started the second half strong with right-footed strike by Marin going just past Tătăruşanu's goal, then Stojanović also tried his luck from the edge of the box. AC Milan responded on 57 minutes though, with Giroud hitting the bar from a free-kick, while five minutes later another set-piece - this time from Tonali - called Vicario into action with a fine save after the ball deflected off Luperto. After another injury for the Rossoneri to Kjær, the game lit up in the final 15 minutes: Tătăruşanu stopped from Bajrami in a one-on-one situation, then sub Diaz came close to breaking the deadlock. But the Rossoneri's efforts were finally rewarded after 79 minutes, with Leão crossing centrally for another sub, Ante Rebić, who slotted home past Vicario from the six-yard box. The home side looked to get back on level terms and missed a golden chance after 88 minutes through Bajrami, but they were not to be denied as the Albanian central midfielder blasted in a free-kick two minutes into injury-time. But AC Milan didn't give up, and two minutes later re-took the lead: Krunić set up Ballo-Touré to head home to send the visiting fans into raptures. Deep into injury-time, with the last action of the match, a bursting Leão counter-attack ended with him lobbing cheekily Vicario to make it 3-1 and seal the game.

MATCH DETAILS

EMPOLI 1-3 AC MILAN

EMPOLI (4-3-1-2): Vicario; Stojanović, De Winter, Luperto, Parisi; Haas (83' Cambiaghi), Grassi (45'+2 Marin), Henderson (58' Bandinelli); Pjaca (58' Bajrami); Satriano (83' Destro), Lammers. Subs: Perisan, Ujkani; Cacace, Ebuehi, Guarino, Walukiewicz; Baldanzi, Degli Innocenti, Fazzini; Ekong. Coach: Zanetti.

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Tătăruşanu; Calabria (39' Kalulu), Kjær (73' Dest), Tomori, Ballo-Touré; Bennacer, Tonali; Saelemaekers (33' Krunić), De Ketelaere (73' Díaz), Leão; Giroud (73' Rebić). Subs: Jungdal, Mirante; Gabbia, Thiaw; Adli, Bakayoko, Pobega, Vranckx; Lazetić. Coach: Pioli.

Referee: Aureliano from Bologna.
Goals: 79' Rebić (M), 92' Bajrami (E), 94' Ballo-Touré (M), 97' Leão (M).
Booked: 24' Kjær (M), 26' Haas (E), 56' De Winter (E), 61' Luperto (E), 80' Zanetti (E), 91' Bennacer (M).

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