AC Milan 1-0 Empoli - Christian Pulisic fires Rossoneri to win as Stefano Pioli's side move up to second
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByEurosport
Updated 10/03/2024 at 18:13 GMT
Christian Pulisic scored the winner as AC Milan beat Empoli at the San Siro and moved up to second in Serie A. The win moved Stefano Pioli's side clear of Juventus in second. Juve, however, can recapture second spot when they play Atalanta later on Sunday. AC Milan are currently 16 points behind league leaders and cross-city rivals Inter, who sit on 75 points after 28 games.
Pulisic esulta per il gol in Milan-Empoli - Serie A 2023/2024
Image credit: Getty Images
Christian Pulisic scored for the second time in a week as AC Milan recorded a commanding 1-0 victory over Empoli.
The American’s 41st-minute goal took Milan above Juventus in the battle for second in Serie A with their rivals playing later the same day.
Despite being in dominant form throughout the match AC Milan failed to find a second goal which almost cost them dearly.
Relegation-threatened Empoli stayed in the match and substitute Mattia Destro had three opportunities to level the tie.
The Italian’s best chance came four minutes from time with a free header inside the Milan box which sailed into the arms of goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
The hosts held on for an 18th league win of the season but remain 16 points behind city rivals Inter.
Pulisic’s deflected goal followed his late effort in their 4-2 win against Slavia Prague, who they meet again for the second leg of their Europa League tie on Thursday.
Talking Point – Milan struggle to see off Empoli
In a game in which AC Milan had 68% of possession the hosts should have been out of sight at the San Siro.
Milan have conceded 32 goals this season in Serie A and had Destro headed home for Empoli four minutes from time, the visitors could have secured an unlikely point.
AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli will feel his side could have scored more against a 10-man Slavia Prague side in midweek despite coming away with a 4-2 win.
Player of the Match - Noah Okafor (AC Milan)
The 23-year-old winger was in a determined mood against a fragile Empoli defence and used his pace to cause them a host of problems. It was the Swiss international who beat the offside trap before finding Pulisic for his 41st-minute winner.
Player Ratings
AC Milan: Maignan 6, Calabriab 6, Thiaw 6, Tomori 6, Hernandez 7, Bennacer 6, Reijnders 7, Pulisic 8, Loftus-Cheek 7, Okafor 8, Jovic 7. Subs: Adli 6, Chukwueze 6, Musah 7, Giroud 6, Kalulu 6
Empoli: Caprile 7, Ismajli 7, Walukiewicz 6, Luperto 7, Gyasi 7, Fazzini 7, Maleh 6, Pezzella 6, Cambiaghi 6, Zurkowski 6, Niang 6. Subs: Destro 6, Cancellieri 6, Kovalenko 6, Cacace 6, Bereszynski 6
Match Highlights
41’ - GOAL! AC Milan 1 Empoli 0 (Pulisic)
Okafor makes a lovely run breaking through the defence before pulling back for Pulisic who places the ball home via a big deflection from Luperto.
However, the goal is initially ruled out and goes to VAR for an apparent off-side against Okafor. VAR has the final say and the goal is allowed.
74’ – Loftus Cheek effort saved
Loftus-Cheek almost seals the points with a surge of pace running into the box and then striking across goal forcing Caprile into a fine save.
86’ – Free header for Empoli
AC Milan’s inability to end this encounter could come back to haunt them as Empoli are pushing men forward searching for a late equaliser
A cross finds Destro completely unmarked inside the Milan box but he heads straight at the goalkeeper.
90+4’ – Chukwueze denied by save
A spirited challenge by Empoli looks over as Cancellieri concedes a soft foul allowing AC Milan to control the ball. Chukwueze holds off three men before seeing his effort saved.
Key Stats
Scan me
Share this article