Milan are forced to do without Rafael Leao, but Luka Jovic and Fikayo Tomori return as they host M’Baye Niang’s revitalised Empoli.
It kicks off at San Siro at 14.00 GMT.
The Rossoneri got back on track with last week’s late win over eight-man Lazio and then struggled to beat 10-man Slavia Praha 4-2 in the Europa League on Thursday.
Some squad rotation is necessary, but some of it is forced, as Rafael Leao and Alessandro Florenzi are suspended, with Tommaso Pobega still a long-term absentee.
At least Luka Jovic returns from his two-match ban, while Tomori makes his comeback from the start for the first time since December 23.
Empoli had been revived after coach Nicola took over, earning three wins and as many draws, but were beaten 1-0 by Cagliari last week to keep them in the danger zone.
Alberto Grassi is still out of action, but Francesco Caputo is finally back on the bench after a long lay-off.
M’Baye Niang began his Italian career at Milan in 2012 and returned to Serie A for Empoli in January, where he has had a big impact, scoring three goals in just four substitute appearances.
The 29-year-old gets his first start against his old club, supported by Nicolò Cambiaghi and Szymon Zurkowski.
Milan: Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Bennacer, Reijnders; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Okafor; Jovic
Empoli: Caprile; Ismajli, Walukiewicz, Luperto, Pezzella; Gyasi, Fazzini, Maleh; Cambiaghi, Zurkowski; Niang
Player statistic
| 24' |  |
Jacopo Fazzini | ||
| Tijjani Reijnders | |
26' | ||
| Christian Pulisic (Assist: Noah Okafor) |
 |
41' |
| 53' | |
Giuseppe Pezzella | ||
| 65' | |
Szymon Zurkowski | ||
| 80' | |
Matteo Cancellieri |
Match statistic
