Empoli win a free kick, which might be their last chance. It is spread out wide to Hysaj, but Rami rises highest to clear the wing-back's cross! Sarri's men recycle possession, with an eventual delivery into the box hacked away by De Jong.
90' +1
L. Tonelli gets yellow.
We're into the first of three minutes of stoppage time at San Siro.
90'
Menez races away down the right-hand side, but is quickly caught and robbed of possession. The former PSG man is being left to chase lost causes, with the rest of the Rossoneri deployed in more defensive positions. Not much else can go wrong for Inzaghi this afternoon!
88'
Paletta controls the ball, before pushing it forward from his feet and pulling up with a hamstring problem. Inzaghi has already made all of his substitutions, with Milan seemingly having little option but to play on with merely nine men.
87'
The away side smell blood and continue to press forward. Maccarone drives into space at the edge of the box, unleashing a left-footed drive, but he blazes it well wide of the left-hand post!
85'
C. Abbiati enters the game and replaces M. Destro.
RED CARD! Unfortunately for Lopez, that great save was made just outside the box! He is dismissed for handling it! Abbiati is readied, with Destro sacrificed for the hosts. Milan have to play out the remaining five minutes of normal time with ten men! What a chance for Empoli to grab a win.
83'
Diego López goes off after a red card!
Empoli are leading the charge in the dying stages, with Milan seemingly quite happy to protect a share of the spoils. Tavano manages to break in behind the Rossoneri back four, before hooking an effort over the crossbar with the help of a glove from Diego Lopez! Great save.
82'
F. Signorelli enters the game and replaces D. Croce.
81'
We're into the final 10 minutes at San Siro, with Milan not looking likely to turn this deadlock into three points. Empoli are remaining disciplined and organised, with enough quality on the ball to transition from defence to attack very quickly.
80'
G. Paletta gets yellow.
Minute
Description
79'
A. Cerci enters the game and replaces K. Honda.
Another big chance for Destro! The Milan goalscorer is picked out by a clipped cross from the left, but can only guide a looping header well wide of the back post! Honda is withdrawn, after a lacklustre showing, with Cerci replacing him.
78'
S. Verdi gets yellow.
Excellent tackle from Paletta! The former Parma man steps out of the back four impressively to rob Verdi of the ball, with the Empoli substitute then booked himself for a retaliatory hack at his aggressor.
76'
We're now into the final quarter of an hour, with either side still able to grab a much-needed three points here. Bonaventura is picked out at the back post and climbs above Mario Rui to try and win a header, but the Italian is penalised for a push.
74'
Empoli continue to look resurgent and have begun to press more readily higher up the pitch. While Sarri has adapted to the situation as the game has progressed, Milan continue to play the same way, with Inzaghi not getting the best out of any of his forward there.
72'
Menez tries to break upfield at pace, but is blocked off rather cynically by Tonelli. Rami tries to whip in a cross from the right-hand side, but Rugani gets down smartly to make a headed clearance. Moments later, Destro is fed by a through ball into the penalty area, but the goalscorer doesn't react quickly enough! Sepe smothers, with the former Roma striker left with his head in his hands.
70'
Milan have to try and find another goal this afternoon now, despite really struggling offensively throughout. Tavano works his way to the right byline brilliantly, before stabbing back a generous cross, but the Rossoneri's defence are able to pull off some desperate defending.
68'
M. Maccarone has scored a goal for Empoli! Assist by E. Hysaj.
Bocchetti makes a timely block, with Milan dropping deeper and deeper, inviting unnecessary pressure onto their back four. The away side are growing in confidence, pushing more blue shirts forward and moving possession at a good tempo.
GOOOOOOOOOOOAL! MACCARONE EQUALISES FOR THE AWAY SIDE! The veteran striker steers an excellent header into the bottom left-hand corner, with Diego Lopez unable to get down to keep it out! Paletta loses track of his man, with Hysaj's cross inch-perfect!
66'
Tavano has a chance immediately, but can only strike a deflected effort straight at Diego Lopez. The Spaniard has been much the busier of the two goalkeepers, but still Empoli are unable to find the breakthrough goal. Hysaj whips in a cross, which is met by a speculative overhead kick that bounces harmlessly wide of the target.
64'
F. Tavano enters the game and replaces M. Pucciarelli.
L. Antonelli gets yellow.
Antonelli receives a yellow card for the hosts, with the home fans not taking too kindly to the referee's decision. After fading from the game in the second half, Pucciarelli is replaced for Empoli, with Tavano coming into the fray. The substitute has under half an hour to make an impact.
62'
Empoli earn themselves a central free kick, around 30 yards from goal. Mario Rui tries his luck, but can only send the ball rocketing into the stands with a grimace on his face. That was an abysmal effort from the Portuguese.
60'
Valdifiore release Hysaj down the right-hand side, before the wing-back whips a cross in towards the back post. It sits up nicely for Croce, but the midfielder can only scuff a finish into the palms of Diego Lopez.
58'
Maccarone and Mario Rui combine to rob Poli of the ball down the left-hand side, but the Milan midfielder goes down theatrically to earn the Rossoneri a free kick. The away side are being frustrated so far this afternoon and will feel aggrieved to have fallen behind.
56'
This contest is extremely evenly matched, with both sides equally unable to carve out clear-cut opportunities. Paletta is unable to prevent a ball from going behind for a corner, with Empoli unable to capitalise. The delivery is headed away by the first man.
54'
S. Verdi enters the game and replaces M. Vecino.
Awful effort from Menez, with the Frenchman spared from embarrassment by the linesman's offside flag! The former PSG forward is fed into the clear, before blasting a powerful effort horrifically into the stands with Sepe at his mercy.
52'
Neither goalkeeper has had much to do in the second half, with possession reserved almost exclusively to the middle third of the field. Long passes into the forward are being resorted to, but both Diego Lopez and Sepe have been alert enough to come off their lines in flash.
50'
Pucciarelli is nearly found by a deep pass, but the Empoli forward is unable to take the ball down in his stride. Milan then look long for Destro, but the goalscorer is penalised for a robust grapple with Tonelli.
48'
A. Rami gets yellow.
Rami blasts an early long-range effort high and wide, with Inzaghi's men looking to press on immediately. Antonelli breaks down the left, before swinging in a cross, but he places it far too close to Sepe who collects with consummate ease.
46'
We are back underway in the second half at San Siro! The Rossoneri hold a slender advantage, but will be keen to press on and secure the three points early on!
44'
Menez wins his side a free kick out on the left-hand side, which is delivered terrible by Bonaventura and cleared by the first man. Now they have the lead, Inzaghi's men can afford to be a little more patient on the ball and they are doing just that.
42'
It may be undeserved, but Milan have the upper hand in this contest now. Empoli have been comfortable when sitting back, but just might have to open up a few more gaps if they are to effectively chase an equalising goal. Only a few minutes remain until the half-time break.
40'
M. Destro has scored a goal for AC Milan! Assist by G. Bonaventura.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! DESTRO OPENS THE SCORING FOR MILAN! The former Roma man has had no impact up until now, but what a way to announce his presence in this game! Bonaventura is fed down the line by Menez, before the former Atalanta man centres a dangerous cross. Sepe can't come out, with Destro able to hook a poacher's finish into the back of the net!
39'
Pucciarelli bursts towards the edge of the penalty area, before his attempted pass into Maccarone is cut out. Empoli win a free kick, which Valdifiori delivers, but De Jong makes an important header to clear the Rossoneri lines. Milan break as a result, but a long ball intended for the run of Menez is hoofed away by an onrushing Sepe!
37'
Good save from Diego Lopez! Mario Rui tries his luck from the left flank, with the former Real Madrid goalkeeper able to get a firm hand to the ball to push it beyond the near upright! The resulting corner is flicked on by Tonelli but comes to nothing.
35'
A Milan corner is worked short, before Sepe punches the resulting delivery clear. Moments later, Menez works his way down the right, before dipping a ferocious cross well wide of the back post - not that there was anyone there to turn to home anyway.
33'
Honda is nearly fed down the right-hand side by Rami, but Sepe is alive to the threat and collects ahead of the Japan international. Neither shot-stopper has been tested thus far, with a glaring lack of cutting edge present for Milan especially.
31'
The tempo has slowed somewhat by the half-hour mark, allowing for both sets of full-backs to get more readily involved. Menez and Destro continue to have little to no effect on proceedings, with Empoli marshalling their back line excellently so far.
29'
Valdifiori tries to knock a pass around the corner for Zielinski to chase, but Diego Lopez is alert to the danger and beats the Polish midfielder to the ball. Chances have been few and far between so far, with a draw looking to be on the cards. Antonelli whips in a cross from the left, which Tonelli fails to deal with, but Rugani is on hand to hack clear.
27'
Good stop from Sepe! Poli whips in a cross-cum shot from the left-hand side, with the Empoli goalkeeper able to prevent the ball from curling into the top corner. Moments later, Rami outrageously shoots from about 35 yards out, trying to catch Sepe off his line, but the ball spirals out for a goal kick.
25'
Empoli win themselves a chance to load the box with players, with Valdifiori dipping in a terrible delivery. Tonelli is penalised for a supposed push on Bocchetti, but there wasn't much in it from the visiting defender.
23'
Possession is being quickly lost by both sides, with two narrow midfield sets of three shutting down passing lanes into the forwards. As the away side, Empoli won't mind whatsoever, as for the moment they've limited Milan to no shots on target.
21'
To sum up Milan's woes in the first half thus far, Menez races to the byline before running the ball straight out of play. Inzaghi's men have improved during the last five minutes, but Sepe still remains completely untested in the Empoli net. At the other end, Maccarone is just about unable to make contact with a good cross from the right-hand side by Pucciarelli.
19'
Zielinski continues to squander possession somewhat, this time conceding a free kick for a high foot on Antonelli. Menez works his way down the left, before feeding Poli, but the Milan midfielder is closed down and robbed of the ball in an instant. A few groans from the home fans already.
17'
Milan finally manage to get a foothold in the contest, circulating possession for an extended period of time. Empoli are remaining solid, however, with an extra man dropping into the back four when required to ensure that both Menez and Destro are constantly monitored.
15'
Menez whips in a dangerous cross from the left byline, but Tonelli heads away well at the near post. Empoli then break through Mario Rui down the left-hand side, but the Portuguese left-back loses the ball quickly. Menez and Destro almost manage to combine moments later, but the Frenchman's attempted through ball is promptly cut out.
13'
Bonaventura is easily robbed of the ball in the centre of the park, with the Rossoneri struggling to hold onto possession for more than 10 seconds at a time. Empoli are pressing well, with Milan's front three seeing the ball extremely sparingly. Destro is cutting a very isolated figure at the point of the attack.
11'
Zielinski shoots wide! The midfielder manages to beat De Jong on the edge of the box, carving out enough space to try his luck. Instead of testing the goalkeeper, the Empoli man drags a low drive beyond the near post, with Maccarone looking a little bit disappointed with that effort!
9'
Nervy moment for Diego Lopez! Mario Rui tries his luck from almost the half-way line, after seeing the Milan goalkeeper off his line. It dips just over the crossbar with the Spaniard backpedalling frantically. The home side continue to struggle early on here.
8'
S. Bocchetti enters the game and replaces Alex.
Alex is forced to come off, after being caught in the face while making a sliding challenge. He might have a broken nose, with Bocchetti thrown into the fray before the 10-minute mark as a result. Diego Lopez punches away an Empoli corner under heavy pressure.
7'
Zielinski tries his luck from 25 yards out, but his standing leg slips as he makes contact with the ball. His shot trickles into the grasp of Diego Lopez as a result. Sarri's men maintain all of the early pressure.
5'
Milan remain on the back foot, with Empoli's two strikers causing a few problems in the early stages. Inzaghi is not a happy man on the sidelines, with the visitors looking to have control of this contest. There's not much width involved, with the Rossoneri's three forward remaining fairly close together.
3'
Empoli enjoy the early possession, with Pucciarelli then able to race down the right-hand channel after an incisive pass from Valdifiori! The striker hammers an effort into the side netting, with Maccarone asking why a pass into the penalty area didn't come his way.
1'
We are underway in the first half at San Siro! Milan are in their usual red and black stripes, while Empoli don all blue. The hosts are in need of a win to halt their slide down the Serie A table, while the visitors require a larger points cushion from the relegation zone.
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Empoli's away trip to face Milan in Serie A, with the newly promoted outfit looking to cause an upset at San Siro. The Rossoneri have been in awful recent form, picking up merely one victory in their last five matches, with Filippo Inzaghi struggling to inspire his team to any kind of resurgence in the second half of the campaign.
I'm Simon Harrison and I will be keeping you up to date with proceedings during this early Italian top-flight kick off, where only nine points separate the two clubs in the league table. Empoli have a four-point buffer from the drop zone, meaning that they have an immediate need to widen the gap if they are to avoid dropping back into Serie B at the first time of asking.
TEAM NEWS: Both Gabriel Paletta and Luca Antonelli take up position in the hosts' back four, with Philippe Mexes missing out through suspension. Nigel de Jong recovers from a knock to feature, but Marco van Ginkel and Alessio Cerci aren't risked from the start. Mattia Destro leads the line for Milan, with support from Keisuke Honda and star man Jeremy Menez. Salvatore Bocchetti takes a seat among the substitutes.
TEAM NEWS: Piotr Zielinski takes up a position behind the strikers for the visitors, as former Rossoneri midfielder Riccardo Saponara misses out due to an injury lay off. Otherwise, there are no selection surprises for Maurizio Sarri's men. Daniele Rugani, featuring at the heart of Empoli's defence, will be key to any chance his side have of keeping a clean sheet this afternoon.
Milan starting line-up (4-3-3): Diego Lopez; Rami, Alex, Paletta, Antonelli; Poli, De Jong, Bonaventura; Honda, Destro, Menez.
Milan substitutes: Suso, Pazzini, Essien, Bocchetti, Van Ginkel, Cerci, Abbiati, Mastalli, Felicioli, Di Molfetta, Gori.
HALF TIME! The home side head into their dressing room with a slim 1-0 lead at the break, courtesy of a goal late in the half from Destro. Empoli have looked organised and for the most part better on the ball, but Sarri might have to re-think his plans if he's to take a share of the spoils home with his men this afternoon. Be sure to rejoin us in ten minutes!
FULL TIME! Milan stumble to a 1-1 draw with Empoli, with the home side ending the contest with only nine men on the field of play. Goals from Destro and Maccarone meant that it was impossible the separate the two teams, with Sarri's side maybe a little disappointed to have not secured three points. It goes from bad to worse for Inzaghi! That's all we have time for from San Siro, I've been Simon Harrison and I hope to see you again next time.
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