AC Milan 1 v 0 Empoli

 

 

AC Milan played host to Empoli this morning requiring a win to ensure their supremacy at the top of the table. AC Milan started the match off very swiftly dominating the opening moments and attacking swiftly. As the first half progressed though Milan maintained control, Empoli’s formation dominated central in a narrow Christmas tree, which Milan continued to drive forward central to get through the defence, perhaps going wide at this point may have resulted in more success.

Due to a Kessie scuffle just outside the penalty box, he had been rewarded a free kick. Giroud reflection from the kick,  fell towards Kalulu who drove the ball home into the bottom corner in a superb shot. AC Milan and Empoli engaged in  a battle in the final third for the remainder of the half with no shot on target from Empoli .

In the initial stage of the second half, Empoli made up for last time and attempted to score with successive attacking waves. Mike , Tomori and Kalulu held strong and ensured that no goal was conceded. The remainder of the second half was a bitter battle with AC Milan at times on the back foot one step behind Empoli or it was reversed with AC Milan unable to get past the final man to help double their efforts. Kessie will be leaving in the summer but if he goes to a Barcelona , he must be mindful that other’s wont be as patience with his slow or subpar performances.  The final few minutes were edgy with none of Milan’s substitutes making any real different to the game and loose ball was thankfully recovered by Alexis Salaemakers in Milan’s box.

Champion teams win even when they don’t play good performances and this was one of those matches, 3 points  is 3 points.

 

Key Take Always

-          Even off the bench Brahim Diaz was still unable to make an impact when this was the kind of game that requires a player to break it open.

-          Calabria has become  wasteful in the final third recently, lost the ability to find the man  to put it in the back of the net, though thankfully his role as a right defender is as dependable as ever.

-          Bennacer has run into a great run of form recently,  everywhere on the pitch, tackling, passing, shooting, all done well.

-          Kalulu and Tomori are an excellent duo and compliment each other very well.

 

 

 

Player Ratings

3. Kalulu
2. Bennacer
1. Tomori