EMPOLI v AC MILAN: MATCH PREVIEW

Three points to start 2024 in the right way also in the league, three points to finish the first half of the Serie A season in the best possible way. Pioli's Rossoneri will drop by the Castellani in Empoli to chase their third win in a row, all competitions considered. Let's examine the lunchtime fixture of Matchday 19 with our Match Preview.

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
The Rossoneri rung in the new year with a 4-1 win over Cagliari in the Coppa Italia. Before focusing on the next cup clash with Atalanta, however, AC Milan have to overcome an obstacle away from home: Empoli. There is much motivation spurring on Pioli's men, who are recovering players and uncovering interesting young talent, towards a must-win three points. Gabbia, who has just returned from his loan spell at Villareal, could find a spot in the starting XI, whilst Chukwueze and Bennacer have left the group because of their respective commitments in the Africa Cup of Nations. Musah, the only one cautioned alongside Reijnders, is now available.

"Winning. That’s the only thing that counts" - Pioli said in the pre-match press conference. "It is definitely a big week with two league games and the Coppa Italia quarter-finals, we are focused on the clash with Empoli. We want to do well in the league, we can win points but we have to perform well on the pitch. If we manage to pick up winning performances for a longer period, we will have overcome the momentary difficulties".

LATEST FROM EMPOLI
The Azzurri turn up at Castellani having gone 6 games without a win, even if their last few three points were impressive. Empoli, who currently sit penultimate in the standings, was able to beat Napoli at the Maradona and Fiorentina at the Franchi, but they have not won in front of their fans since the end of September with the 1-0 victory over Salernitana. Andreazzoli's side, however, is unpredictable and capable of surprises, but which are also dealing with some absences. 4-3-1-2 the formation, Baldanzi could return to the attacking midfield position after some time and Luperto could make up for Cacace's absence through suspension.

"If we start playing the game to match their level or the quality they can show, I think we will be overcome: it's almost mathematics" - stated Aurelio Andreazzoli on the eve of the match. "When you are light, in the positive sense of the term, you find pleasure in doing things which also allows you to drag others along: it is a weapon that we must remember because you have to be 100% in all areas against AC Milan".

PRE-MATCH STATS

• AC Milan is both the side that has scored the most away goals against Empoli in Serie A (29 goals) and the side that has played the most matches in the Tuscan ground without losing in the league (15, 8W, 7D).
• The only two previous meetings between Empoli and AC Milan in Serie A in January were both in Tuscany and both ended in a draw: 1-1 in 1999 and 2-2 in 2016. 
• In the last 7 Serie A seasons, AC Milan has won the first game in January 6 times (1D) and has kept a clean sheet in 5 of these matches.
• Stefano Pioli has won both clashes against Aurelio Andreazzoli in Serie A, both times in the AC Milan dugout.

WHERE TO WATCH EMPOLI v AC MILAN
In Italy, the match will be broadcast by DAZN and Sky Sport. To watch Empoli v AC Milan in a different country, you can consult the "AC Milan on TV" webpage, clicking on the heading "Abroad". On the Rossoneri channels, Milan TV will provide live matchday coverage starting from 11:30 CET and continuing up until shortly before kick-off. After full-time, there will be interviews and Coach Pioli's press conference. From 12:25 CET, there will also be our Live Reaction shown on our Twitch channel. Also, not to be missed is the coverage on acmilan.com, the AC Milan Official App and our official social media profiles.

LATEST FROM SERIE A
Federico La Penna will officiate Empoli v AC Milan. It will be the referee from Rome’s 64th time in charge of an Italian top-flight game. He has refereed for Empoli 6 times and 7 times for the Rossoneri including twice already this season: away to Cagliari (1-3) and Atalanta (3-2). Assistants will be Del Giovane and Ceccon, alongside Fourth Official Giua. Irrati will be on VAR duty, assisted by Miele.

Bologna v Genoa finished 1-1, the game opened Matchday 19 which will mark the end of the first half of the Serie A season. Saturday saw Inter 2-1 Hellas Verona, Frosinone 2-3 Monza, Lecce 1-1 Cagliari, and Sassuolo 1-0 Fiorentina. The Rossoneri will open Sunday’s games with Torino v Napoli and Udinese v Lazio kicking off at 15:00 CET, followed by Salernitana v Juventus at 18:00 CET and Roma v Atalanta at 20:45 CET.

This is the current league table: Inter* 48; Juventus 43; Milan 36; Fiorentina* 33; Bologna* 32; Atalanta 29; Roma and Napoli* 28; Lazio 27; Monza* 25; Torino 24; Genoa* and Lecce* 21; Sassuolo* and Frosinone* 19; Udinese 17; Cagliari* 15; Hellas Verona* 14; Empoli 13; Salernitana 12. (* = a game in hand)

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