The Rossoneri squad is ready to meet matchday 29: AC Milan versus Empoli at the San Siro venue tonight 8:45 PM CET.
The team led by coach Stefano Pioli is fresh from a victory away from home against Napoli. However, that does not mean that the club is guaranteed an easier fixture or the three points tonight.
The Italian tactician, in fact, knows how important this game is and he claimed, in yesterday's press conference, that he saw his team ready and focused that he did not need to remind them how important this clash is:
"There was no need for my intervention to make people understand how important the challenge of tomorrow is. The experiences of the past has been useful, but it is useless to keep looking at the past (...) We are satisfied with the performance (against Napoli). But, we did not take the last step yet. We must be attached to the present. The past will not help us. I have seen a concentrated team."
Key players for the AC Milan side:
Il Diavolo players have been able to get to first position by collecting 60 points from 28 fixtures so far in the Serie A table. Empoli, on the other hand are 13th with 32 points. They have one of the worst figures in defence as they have conceded in the league 53 goals so far which the players of Stefano Pioli must exploit very well tonight.
Olivier Giroud will obviously want to continue his form after his success at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium. The French centre-forward has proven himself as an expert in the penalty box: he knows how to position himself and when to do it. On the bench, there should be Zlatan Ibrahimovic ready to take over as he has been feeling better.
The attacking department must be very attentive to take advantage of any error that may occur if Empoli break under the Rossoneri's press: this is why Rafael Leao will be key as he is expected to brig the usual level of danger and threats from the left flank as he is also supported by Alessandro Florenzi who likes to run forward and overlap.
Brazilian right-winger Junior Messias needs to be on top of his form today. As we explained to you yesterday, he will be tested against Empoli and in the rest of the games. He wants to earn his place at the team next season. However, the club directors need to see some more goals and assists from him to activate the buy-option. He must positively influence the game and contribute well to the team's results.
The match against Empoli will certainly be a difficult one because they have strong ideas for the attacking line thanks to Nedim Bajrami who, as we told you before, will be observed closely by the Milanese management as he is an appreciated profile. The Albanian attacking midfielder has 9 goals and 5 assists so far this season and he definitely will be a handful for the Rossoneri. He is the key man for coach Aurelio Andreazzoli's attacking plays without forgetting Inter's loanee Andrea Pinamonti who is a 22-year-old centre-forward with 9 goals to his name so far.
Szymon Zurkowski, 24-year-old central midfielder, currently on loan from Fiorentina to Empoli will also be an interesting profile to follow as he will have a tough duel with AC Milan's young star Sandro Tonali. This game will be full of challenges and the team that controls the midfield will be able to dominate throughout the game and possibly get the three points.
For the visitors, this is their likely lineup:
4-3-2-1: Vicario; Stojanovic, Romagnoli, Luperto, Parisi; Zurkowski, Asllani, Bandinelli; Bajrami, Henderson; Pinamonti
As for AC Milan, below is the lineup that coach Stefano Pioli is likely to use:
