AC Milan returns to Serie A action this Saturday as they host mid-table Empoli at San Siro, hoping to overcome recent inconsistency in a bid to keep up the chase for a top-six finish, while Empoli will be looking to cause an upset that would pull them level on points with their hosts.
Match Preview: Milan’s Inconsistency vs Empoli’s Resilience
AC Milan goes into this game at the end of a rollercoaster week. The hard-fought 3-2 Champions League win over Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday boosted their European hopes but showed that consistency is still a problem. The Rossoneri have oscillated between solidity at the back and lapses in concentration, conceding or keeping clean sheets alternately in the last 10 Serie A matches.
Domestically, a goalless draw with Juventus last weekend left Milan sitting in seventh place with 19 points -10 points adrift of league leaders Napoli. Manager Paulo Fonseca is under pressure, with Milan facing the risk of a third straight home game without a win or a goal – a situation not witnessed since 2017.
On the other side, Empoli has been overperforming this season, lying 10th in the Serie A table with just three losses this season in all competitions and coming back from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw against Udinese a week ago. Pietro Pellegri has played a crucial role in their form and has netted three in his last three appearances.
Despite their resilience, Empoli has struggled historically against Milan, losing six of their last seven league encounters. However, all their Serie A wins against the Rossoneri have come at San Siro—making this a potentially intriguing clash.
Team News: Who’s In and Out?
AC Milan:
Unavailable: Ismael Bennacer, Alessandro Florenzi, Luka Jovic (injuries).
Returning: Alvaro Morata, who was suspended for UEFA games, is expected to lead the line. Tammy Abraham, fresh off a midweek goal, and teen sensation Francesco Camarda also vie for a spot.
Key players: Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will likely support the attack, while Mike Maignan anchors the defense.
Empoli:
Unavailable: Szymon Zurkowski, Tyronne Ebuehi, Saba Sazonov, Jacopo Fazzini, and Nicolas Haas (injuries).
Starting XI: Milan-owned pair Devis Vasquez and Lorenzo Colombo should both start against their parent club, Vasquez being in goal while Colombo leads the attack alongside Pellegri up front.
Predicted Lineups
AC Milan (4-2-3-1):
Maignan; Emerson, Thiaw, Gabbia, Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Morata.
