Serie A | Empoli 0-3 Milan: Rossoneri dominate in Tuscany

Milan secured an away 3-0 win in their first Serie A game of 2024 against Empoli with goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Olivier Giroud and Chaka Traorè.

Stefano Pioli’s men have started off the new year on the right foot as they beat Empoli at the Stadio Castellani Computer Gross Arena on Sunday, four days after a home victory against Cagliari in Coppa Italia.

The Rossoneri left Matteo Gabbia on the bench at Empoli, starting Theo Hernandez in central defence alongside Simon Kjaer. The start was excellent as Loftus-Cheek gave Milan the lead after just 11 minutes, making the most of a perfect Rafael Leao assist from the left. The English midfielder scored for the second time in Serie A this season with a side-foot finish.

Rafa Leao 🤝 Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Flawless football from AC Milan 👏 pic.twitter.com/hLVhEWEjTL
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 7, 2024

Empoli reacted with a Nicolò Cambiaghi attempt from the edge of the box, but his shot was deflected. Filippo Ranocchia replaced the injured Tyronne Ebuhei at minute 27, shortly before Milan’s second goal, scored by Giroud from the spot.

Loftus-Cheek’s attempt from inside the box was deflected by Youssef Maleh who had lifted his arm unnaturally, but Federico La Penna needed a VAR check to spot the Empoli midfielder touch. Giroud was perfect from the spot and found the net at the top left corner.

Alessandro Florenzi was subbed off minutes later but reassured his teammates he hadn’t suffered a severe injury.

Milan’s domination continued in the second half. Loftus-Cheek’s shot from outside the box was inches wide and Christian Pulisic forced Elia Caprile to a fingertip save from another Rafael Leao cross from the left.

Empoli had the best chances of the game at minute 70 when Mike Maignan denied Cambiaghi, and Francesco Caputo hit Theo Hernandez on the rebound, only earning a corner kick.

Pioli introduced youngsters Davide Bartesaghi and Chaka Traoré in the final minutes and the latter scored his first Serie A goal on a counter-attack, assisted by Pulisic.

Milan cemented the third placement and have ended the Girone d’andata with 39 points. Empoli remain in the relegation zone with only 13 points.