Winner of Empoli 1-0, Sunday at San Siro, AC Milan did not shine in the game in the absence of Rafael Leao, suspended, and Olivier Giroud, replaced at kick-off by a Luka Ghostly Jovic.
In the wake of a 4-2 victory against Slavia Prague, Thursday evening in the round of 16 first leg of the Europa League, AC Milan followed up with a success against Empoli (1-0), Sunday afternoon, again at San Siro, for the 28th day of Serie A. The Rossoneri, still 16 points behind the domestic leader, take second place from Juve, who host Atalanta in the evening.
Milan should not have much trouble finishing in the top 4, but Stefano Pioli now knows that he will greatly need Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud, his two essential attackers, to finish the season in style. With the Portuguese crack suspended, Noah Okafor was aligned on the left wing and the Swiss international served Christian Pulisic for the opener before half-time (41st).
Jovic transparent
Giroud, scorer during the European meeting, was spared during the reception of Empoli. His understudy Luka Jovic once again demonstrated that he did not have the skills to serve as a support point for his team. Since the center forward did not have the opportunity to complete an action, he was ghostly for 73 minutes of play, before his replacement by the 37-year-old French international.
Next week, the 2022 Italian champion travels to Prague to validate his qualification for the quarter-finals of the Europa League, then to Verona, in order to face a Hellas who are in 13th place in Serie A.
