Empoli 2-2 AC Milan: Honours even at the Castellani

Published on: 23 January 2016

Empoli drew with AC Milan 2-2 at the Stadio Carlo Castellani on Saturday evening in Serie A, extending both side’s unbeaten runs.

Carlos Bacca got the ball rolling with an accomplished finish inside the box to hand the Rossoneri the advantage before Piotr Zielinski brought the game level with a composed shot ten minutes before half-time. Giacomo Bonaventura restored the lead in bizarre fashion, to then only succumb once more to Empoli via Massimo Maccarone.

Despite the promising start from the Azzurri, it was Milan who would take the lead before ten minutes had passed. The home defence stepped up when Luca Antonelli played a lofted ball over the top in search of Bacca, leaving the former Sevilla man through on goal to get his third in three games.

A chance finally fell, again to the visiting side just prior to the half-way stage of the first-half, with Bonaventura seeing his effort saved well by Lukasz Skorupski. Maccarone then turned home for Empoli, only to be ruled out for offside.

Just a minute later the agitated home support would get what they craved: an equaliser. Riccardo Saponara played the ball across to an onrushing Zielinski who calmly slotted through the legs of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Sinisa Mihajlovic made sure Milan would bounce back after the interval, and it came in the shape of Bonaventura. It proved an odd way to regain the lead, M’Baye Niang getting hit the in face before bouncing to the midfielder who tucked home the fortuitous rebound.

Once more Empoli fought back and on the hour they were level. Manuel Pucciarelli looked for the far corner with a curled chance that was only palmed into the grateful Maccarone who made no mistake.

The end result leaves both sides still well in contention for a European place.

Source: forzaitalianfootball.com

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Learn more