Paulo Fonseca’s facet took benefit of a foggy night in Milan to return to successful methods in Serie A with a commanding 3-0 residence win in opposition to bottom-half Empoli. Tijjani Reijnders stole the highlight at Stadio San Siro with one more brace this season, serving to the Rossoneri arrest a two-game winless league streak.
After serving a one-game European ban in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League triumph at Slovan Bratislava, Alvaro Morata regained his place in Fonseca’s XI. The Spaniard changed Tammy Abraham and broke the impasse within the twenty first minute with an instinctive end, latching onto a rebound inside Empoli’s field to place Milan in entrance.
Christian Pulisic chested the ball down for Reijnders, who dispatched a thunderous half-volley into the underside nook, firing Milan 2-0 up on the stroke of halftime. Nonetheless, Empoli had their probabilities on both facet of the break however couldn’t discover a well past Mike Maignan, who didn’t need to make a single save.
Looking for a approach again into the sport, Empoli started leaving acres of areas behind within the second half. It was solely a matter of time earlier than Milan would punish their guests in transition. The third purpose was all Reijnders, because the Dutchman picked up the ball on the midway line and reached the sting of the field on their own earlier than beating Devis Vasquez with a elegant end.
Milan picked up an all-important win to whittle down the hole on the European spots to 3 factors as we have a look at our participant scores.
Milan (4-3-3)
Mike Maignan – 6
Regardless of being jobless this night, the French goalkeeper had misjudged a number of crosses, although that didn’t come again to chew him.
Emerson Royal – 6.5
Slotted in for Milan captain Davide Calabria and delivered one other reassuring efficiency as his type at San Siro stays on the upward trajectory.
Matteo Gabbia – 7
Tonight’s spotless show was a becoming reward for the homegrown Milan defender’s current contract extension, as he didn’t put a foot flawed all recreation.
Malick Thiaw – 6
The German’s type oscillations are regarding. After a number of spectacular showings, he seemed sloppy once more, particularly when requested to hyperlink up within the build-up play.
Theo Hernandez – 7
The famous person left-back was excellent defensively, whereas his particular reference to Rafael Leao brought on Empoli’s backline all kinds of issues.
Yunus Musah – 6.5
The USMNT midfielder doesn’t lack power and dedication, however he should discover composure and get a greater sense of the sport, typically misplacing his passes or ready too lengthy to eliminate the ball.
Tijjani Reijnders – 8
Decisive! Along with a well-taken first purpose and an exceptional solo run for the second, the Dutch playmaker was omnipresent within the build-up, pulling all of the strings in the course of the park.
Youssouf Fofana – 7
With Reijnders shouldering the inventive burden alone, the Frenchman took it upon himself to do the soiled work, sacrificing his attacking contribution to assist out on the again.
Christian Pulisic – 7.5
Regardless of failing to get on the scoresheet, the quicksilver ahead was instrumental within the assault, choosing up a pleasant help and inflicting havoc amongst Empoli defenders when in possession.
Rafael Leao – 7
A bit lackadaisical at instances, the Milan talisman had a number of dazzling moments however couldn’t concretize his effort.
Alvaro Morata – 7
Missed a couple of respectable scoring probabilities however discovered a vital breakthrough halfway by way of the primary half to set the tone for Milan’s victory.
Substitutes
Samuel Chukwueze – 5.5
Strahinja Pavlovic – 6.5
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6