AC Milan is set to host Empoli in the 28th week of the 2022-2023 Serie A season at San Siro. The match is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 8th, 2023, starting at 2:00 PM (UTC+7). As the home team, AC Milan currently occupies the third position in the standings with 51 points, consisting of 15 wins, six draws, and seven losses. Meanwhile, Paolo Zanetti’s team, who are placed 14th, has only collected 31 points from 28 matches, consisting of seven wins, ten draws, and 11 losses.
Looking at the track record of the home team, AC Milan is one of the most successful football clubs in Italy and Europe. They have won the Scudetto title 18 times, the Coppa Italia five times, and the Champions League seven times. On the other hand, Empoli still needs to make up for their difference in order to surpass AC Milan who have a better track record.
In terms of team composition, three AC Milan players are likely to miss this match, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Junior Messias, and Pierre Kalulu, who are all injured after the victory against Napoli. Some changes are still being considered by Pioli to face Empoli in the home match. However, four defenders, Davide Calabria, Simon Kjaer, Fikayo Tomori, and Theo Hernandez, are likely to remain intact, protecting goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Furthermore, former Empoli player, Rade Krunic will stay in midfield with Ismael Bennacer and Sandro Tonali. Then, Leao will be on the left wing joining Diaz and Olivier Giroud in the attack.
Meanwhile, Empoli is already confirmed to play without Lorenzo Tonelli, who is currently suspended after facing Lecce. However, first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is expected to return to the starting XI.
In terms of the head-to-head record, AC Milan’s six matches against Empoli in the Serie A competition, so far, have been dominated by the home team with three wins, two losses, and one draw. Meanwhile, Empoli has only won once and drawn once. Then, from all the competitions played by Stefano Pioli’s team, AC Milan has achieved two wins, two draws, and two losses.
For the starting line-up, AC Milan will field Maignan, Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori, Hernandez, Tonali, Bennacer, Krunic, Diaz, Giroud, and Leao. Meanwhile, Empoli will have Vicario, Ebuehi, Ismajli, Luperto, Parisi, Bandinelli, Marin, Akpa Akpro, Baldanzi, Piccoli, and Caputo.
In conclusion, the match between AC Milan and Empoli is expected to end with a decisive victory for the home team, with a score of 2-0.
