AC Milan will look to overcome their domestic inconsistency as they host Empoli at the San Siro on Saturday evening in a crucial Serie A clash.
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After a lackluster 0-0 draw with Juventus last weekend, Milan sits seventh in the league table, struggling to keep pace with the top six.
Their opponents, Empoli, find themselves just three points behind despite playing an extra game and will look to cause an upset at a stadium where they’ve enjoyed rare but memorable victories in the past.
Match Preview
Milan secured their third consecutive Champions League win on Tuesday, edging past Slovan Bratislava 3-2 with goals from Christian Pulisic, Tammy Abraham, and Rafael Leao.
This win boosts their European campaign as they occupy a playoff spot, five points clear of elimination. However, their domestic form tells a different story.
Paulo Fonseca’s side has amassed only 19 Serie A points this season. A frustrating 0-0 draw with Juventus last week was preceded by a 3-3 thriller against Cagliari, showcasing Milan’s inconsistency.
They have alternated between defensive lapses and clean sheets in their last ten league games.
Currently trailing league leaders Napoli by 10 points, Milan’s Serie A title hopes are dwindling. Their immediate focus will be to avoid extending their winless run at San Siro to three matches—a streak not seen since 2021.
Failure to score for a third consecutive home game would mark their longest drought in seven years.
Empoli, meanwhile, have exceeded expectations under Roberto D’Aversa. The Tuscan side has lost only three matches across all competitions this season and currently sits 10th in the table. They recently held Udinese to a 1-1 draw, thanks to in-form striker Pietro Pellegri, who has scored three goals in as many games.
Despite struggling in recent encounters with Milan, Empoli’s three Serie A victories against the Rossoneri have all come at the San Siro, the most recent in 2017.
Their confidence will be further bolstered by a Coppa Italia quarter-final clash against Fiorentina next week.
Team News
AC Milan
Milan will be close to full strength, with Ismael Bennacer, Alessandro Florenzi, and Luka Jovic the only confirmed absentees.
Alvaro Morata returns from suspension and is expected to lead the line, though Tammy Abraham—fresh off a Champions League goal—will provide strong competition.
Abraham has historically thrived against Empoli, scoring more goals against them than any other Serie A side.
Empoli
Pietro Pellegri, enjoying a resurgence with three goals in his last three games, is set to start against his former club.
However, Roberto D’Aversa’s side will be without key players, including Szymon Zurkowski, Tyronne Ebuehi, Saba Sazonov, Jacopo Fazzini, and Nicolas Haas.
Milan-loaned duo Devis Vasquez and Lorenzo Colombo are both likely to start against their parent club, in goal and attack, respectively.
Predicted Lineups
AC Milan (4-2-3-1):
Maignan; Emerson, Thiaw, Gabbia, Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Morata
Empoli (3-5-2):
Vasquez; Goglichidze, Ismajli, Viti; Gyasi, Anjorin, Henderson, Maleh, Pezzella; Colombo, Pellegri
Prediction
Despite Empoli’s resilience, Milan’s home record and superior firepower should be enough to secure a much-needed victory. Paulo Fonseca will aim to end his side’s scoring drought at the San Siro and stabilize their domestic campaign.
