Leao and Gimenez Shine as AC Milan Overcome Empoli in Intense Serie A Clash

AC Milan surged into the Serie A’s top seven after clinching a narrow 1-0 victory against Empoli at the Stadio Carlo Castellani, in a match where both teams ended up with ten players, leaving the Azzurri without a win in their last nine league encounters.

While Milan were eager to secure their own objectives, Empoli found themselves battling for survival in the top tier, desperately seeking an end to their dismal spell. Their situation could have deteriorated further when Yunus Musah compelled a superb save from Devis Vasquez early in the game.

Roberto D’Aversa’s side retaliated well, nearly taking the lead past the half-hour mark as Lorenzo Colombo, spotting Mike Maignan off his line, attempted a chip that frustratingly ricocheted off the post.

Just before the break, Theo Hernandez missed a chance as he fired wide, prompting Rossoneri’s coach Sergio Conceicao to instigate a triple substitution at half-time due to the team’s difficulties in crafting goal-scoring opportunities.

However, his plans nearly unraveled ten minutes into the second half when Fikayo Tomori received a second yellow card for bringing down Colombo. Empoli’s numerical advantage was short-lived, though, as VAR intervened to escalate Luca Marianucci’s yellow card to a red for a reckless kick at Santiago Gimenez.

Milan didn’t waste any time taking advantage, scoring just three minutes later thanks to Rafael Leao, who headed home powerfully at the back post after receiving a cross from Christian Pulisic.

The Rossoneri appeared to have clinched the points with 14 minutes to go, as Gimenez netted his first goal for the club with a left-footed strike past Vasquez.

Empoli were ultimately unable to respond, while Milan extended their unbeaten run in Serie A to three matches, closing the gap to the top four to just five points.

The home side, on the other hand, faced their fourth consecutive loss in head-to-head clashes without finding the net, staying just a point above the relegation zone with a game in hand over most of their close competitors.