Empoli vs AC Milan

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Beginning 2024 with a victory, AC Milan is determined to maintain their positive momentum as they face Serie A strugglers Empoli at Stadio Carlo Castellani this Sunday afternoon.

Following their recent success in securing a spot in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals, the Rossoneri are eager to stay competitive with the top teams in Italy. After winning four out of their last six league matches, Milan rebounded from a four-game winless streak, building on their strong finish to 2023 with a convincing 4-1 victory over Cagliari on Tuesday night.

Facing Empoli in Serie A, Milan's coach Stefano Pioli, who has faced criticism, orchestrated an unconventional starting lineup for the Coppa Italia clash against Cagliari. The team, featuring goals from Luka Jovic, debutant Chaka Traore, and Rafael Leao, comfortably secured a place in the quarter-finals, where they will meet Lombardy rivals Atalanta BC.

While Milan currently trails Inter Milan by nine points and Juventus by seven in Serie A, they are determined to narrow the gap. Despite facing pressure in their previous match against Sassuolo, Milan emerged victorious with Christian Pulisic's second-half goal.

Although Milan has not won any of their last four away matches in the top-flight, they approach the Empoli game as strong favorites, boasting an impressive track record at Stadio Castellani. Having never lost a Serie A fixture at Empoli's stadium, Milan has accumulated eight wins and seven draws from their 15 previous visits. Anything less than maximum points in this encounter may once again shift the spotlight onto coach Stefano Pioli.

If Milan's coach encounters challenges, Empoli's manager Aurelio Andreazzoli is unlikely to offer much sympathy, finding himself once more grappling with a low position in the Serie A standings.

After consecutive losses to Lazio and a draw with fellow relegation contenders Cagliari, Empoli finds themselves stuck in the relegation zone, just one point above the last-placed Salernitana.

To be fair to Andreazzoli, the team's struggles extend beyond his tenure, tracing back to the time under former manager Paolo Zanetti. Among Europe's top five leagues, Empoli suffered the second-highest number of defeats (24) throughout 2023, only trailing behind Almeria.

This season, Empoli stands out as the team with the fewest points earned from home games in Italy's top league, tallying only five points. Additionally, they hold the record for the fewest goals scored at home, also amounting to five. This shortage in scoring continues a trend from last year, with Empoli failing to score in 23 matches.

The last goal scored by an Empoli player was by Matteo Cancellieri in early December. Beyond an own goal against Lecce, the team from Tuscany hasn't found the net since then.

Ahead of the Coppa tie against Cagliari, Stefano Pioli had implemented various changes, involving backup goalkeeper Antonio Mirante and three young players - Jan-Carlo Simic, Alex Jimenez, and Chaka Traore from the primavera squad. However, Pioli plans to field his strongest lineup for the upcoming Sunday match.

Despite a significant list of absentees, Pioli now has Matteo Gabbia back from his loan spell at Villarreal. Gabbia's return might allow Theo Hernandez to reclaim his preferred left-back position, stepping in for the sidelined defenders Fikayo Tomori, Malick Thiaw, and Pierre Kalulu.

Nonetheless, Ismael Bennacer and Samu Chukwueze have departed for the Africa Cup of Nations, and Tommaso Pobega is out until April due to a thigh injury.

While Luka Jovic has displayed improved form, reminiscent of his effectiveness at Eintracht Frankfurt, it's expected that Olivier Giroud will take his place upfront. Interestingly, Giroud has played the most minutes against Empoli (266) without scoring compared to any other Serie A team.

Empoli, the hosts, also face defensive woes with injuries to Simone Bastoni and Giuseppe Pezzella, Bartosz Bereszynski nursing a thigh issue, and their primary left-back, Liberato Cacace, serving a suspension.

Nicolo Cambiaghi, poised to support Francesco Caputo in attack over Milan-owned Daniel Maldini, holds the record for the most shots attempted without scoring in Serie A this season (34). Despite scoring in three consecutive matches last May, the Atalanta loanee has faced a goal drought spanning 21 games.

AC Milan, holding third place in Serie A, have showcased impressive form this season. They recently secured a comfortable 4-1 win against Cagliari and aim to maintain this momentum in their upcoming game.

Empoli, currently in 19th place, has faced challenges in the league. Their recent 0-0 draw against Cagliari highlights their need to elevate their performance for the next match.

In past encounters, AC Milan has dominated Empoli, claiming victory in 12 out of their last 22 matches, compared to Empoli's three wins. Empoli has settled for nine draws in their last 30 Serie A matches against AC Milan, ranking second only to Torino and Udinese in drawn outcomes.

AC Milan has shown prowess away against Empoli, scoring 29 goals, the highest by any team in Serie A away matches against Empoli. In contrast, Empoli has accumulated a mere five points in their home matches, the lowest tally in the competition.

Empoli's struggles extend to their overall league performance in 2023, with 20 losses, second only to Almeria across Europe's top five leagues.

With a strong lineup, AC Milan aims to challenge Juventus and Inter Milan in the title race. Players like Christian Pulisic and Olivier Giroud have been pivotal in scoring goals this season and seek to further their tally in the upcoming fixture.