OFFSIDE! That's a poor call from the linesman! Balotelli is left unmarked in the area as he takes a pass in the centre. He makes a real mess of it though, as Skorupski makes the save, but the flag had gone up anyhow. It would have prompted apocalyptic-type protests from Milan had he converted the chance.
90' +3
Balotelli has to be careful! He wants a free-kick, but the referee doesn't award the decision in his favour, and as a result he tugs at the shirt of Mario Rui with the referee giving the foul the other way. That's no way to act on a yellow card.
90' +1
A. Romagnoli gets yellow.
Romagnoli commits himself to a challenge from behind, and although the contact wasn't altogether much, he got none of the ball and is promptly booked as a result.
90'
The referee indicates there will be four minutes added on at the end of this match.
89'
The tempo has all but completely gone now and it's looking increasingly likely that we are heading for a stalemate. A lively opening hour, chalk-full of end-to-end action, has resulted in some tired legs late on here, turning into quite the scrappy conclusion.
87'
R. Krunić enters the game and replaces P. Zieliński.
Empoli make their final change as well, with Rade Krunic on for Zielinski.
86'
K. Boateng enters the game and replaces K. Honda.
Kevin-Prince Boateng comes on for the final few minutes, hoping to have the same impact off the bench as he did last week against Fiorentina. Keisuke Honda is the one to give way.
84'
Clever bit of skill from Zielinski to nutmeg Zapata, before being tripped up by the centre-half. The referee waits for an advantage, but there is none so he brings play back for a free-kick. Milan are starting to falter in the dying minutes.
82'
M. Balotelli gets yellow.
Well he just can't help himself, can he? Balotelli has already been warned twice, so there's no escaping a booking this time as he trips up Pucciarelli near the touchline.
81'
STRAIGHT AT SKORUPSKI! Balotelli is more than capable of producing moments of brilliance from these positions as we have come to see before, but it isn't meant to be this time around. His low, bouncing strike somehow finds its way through the mess of bodies in the area, but it's hit directly at the keeper.
Minute
Description
80'
Tonelli concedes a cheap free-kick just a few yards outside the area for an aerial challenge on Bacca, and it's awarded Milan with a great opportunity to try and snatch a late lead. Can they make it count?
78'
WIDE! What a chance that was! Livaja wins a header high up the pitch, knocking it down to keep the attack alive. Zielinski is teed up for a shot from around 25 yards out, but the scorer of the first Empoli goal sends his effort just beyond the top corner!
76'
Empoli are starting to drop a bit deeper when Milan get in possession, and it's giving Milan life. The visitors sense a bit of fear and are starting to take a much more patient approach as a result, but they still seem fragile when Empoli look to break.
74'
Bacca is growing frustrated in attack at the lack of service he's getting. The striker hasn't exactly factored in all that much since opening the scoring, but his work rate and movement off the ball have been invaluable to the visitors.
72'
STAT: Empoli have conceded only one goal in the last 15 minutes of games this season (a record in the top-flight this season).
70'
M. Livaja enters the game and replaces M. Maccarone.
A second change for the hosts sees forward Marko Livaja replace Massimo Maccarone. The scorer of Empoli's second goal is too late in his career to play an effective 90 minutes.
69'
The tempo has slowed drastically as the teams build up for the final 20 minutes. Substitutions and other various stoppages have sucked the pace dry, but it promises to liven up again as we approach full time.
67'
M. Balotelli enters the game and replaces M. Niang.
Jeers throughout the stadium as Mario Balotelli is introduced by the visitors. Can he provide the difference in attack? M'Baye Niang sees his night end earlier than he would have hoped. The Frenchman has been bright in attack throughout.
65'
Milan are really fading and Empoli now look like the favourites to walk away with three points. The crowd noise is higher than it has been all night as the Rossoneri find themselves pinned back in defence, the fans urging their side forward at every chance.
63'
STAT: Empoli have lost only one of their last eight league games (against Inter): also five wins and two draws for the Azzurri.
61'
M. Maccarone has scored a goal for Empoli!
EMPOLI ON LEVEL TERMS AGAIN! The ensuing free-kick is lifted into the area and headed down into the path of Pucciarelli, who forces Donnarumma into a diving save at the far post with a well-placed shot. The keeper makes the initial save but no one tracks Maccarone who simply taps home the rebound!
60'
R. Saponara gets yellow.
R. Montolivo gets yellow.
Tempers really starting to flair here! Montolivo fouls Saponara, who gets up asking for a yellow card. The Milan midfielder doesn't take kindly to the gesture and it leads to a big coming together near the halfway line.
Saponara is also booked for his involvement in the fracas.
59'
K. Honda gets yellow.
Honda slides in with a poor challenge and becomes the first Milan player booked on the night.
58'
Slowly but surely Empoli's time in possession is increasing and the hosts are starting to wage a way back into the contest. Croce has provided a necessary spark in midfield, helping to settle things down and dictate their approach play.
56'
Mihajlovic will be thrilled with how his team have begun the second half, but this narrow lead will not leave him feeling entirely comfortable. Empoli showed great resolve in the first half to battle back and erase the deficit, and there's little reason to believe they can't do the same again.
54'
D. Croce enters the game and replaces R. Maiello.
Marco Giampaolo responds to his team falling behind, making his first substitution. Experienced midfielder Daniele Croce comes on, with Maiello's night ending early. Buchel drops into a holding role as a result, with the substitute taking his place on the left.
52'
This has been a stellar start to the second half from the Rossoneri, who have come flying out of the gate. There is a real attacking intent about their play and while having already been rewarded with a goal, they remain in search of another. Bonaventura is proving a real nuisance to deal with.
50'
STAT: Milan are unbeaten in the 10 meetings with Empoli at the Castellani Stadium in Serie A: five wins and five draws for the Rossoneri.
48'
G. Bonaventura has scored a goal for AC Milan! Assist by M. Niang.
Niang was credited with an assist for his part in the buildup, but he's quite shaken up and likely doesn't know too much about it at the moment.
MILAN BACK IN FRONT! It comes with a massive stroke of luck as well, with Tonelli's clearance smacking off the head of Niang and directly into the path of Bonaventura, who finishes calmly past Skorupski at the near post.
46'
C. Zapata enters the game and replaces Alex.
Alex is off at the break, with Cristian Zapata replacing him. It's unclear if the Brazilian centre-half picked up a knock, or if this is tactical.
Milan get the second half underway!
45'
HALF TIME: EMPOLI 1-1 MILAN. There will be no time added on, as the referee sounds his whistle on the stroke of 45 minutes.
43'
Milan apply good, concentrated pressure with the interval approaching. Niang and Bonaventura have been especially lively in the final third. The latter gets on the end of another passing move, but again lifts his final effort over the bar.
41'
STAT: In their last nine away Serie A games, the Rossoneri have not repeated the same results in two consecutive matches (a draw in the last meeting against Roma).
39'
Back the other way come Empoli on the break and Donnarumma nearly spills a harmless strike into the path of Maccarone! The teenager is able to recover, avoiding what would have been a real disaster for the visitors before half time.
38'
Not a bad strike from Bonaventura, who sends the free-kick blazing a yard over the bar, but he really should be hitting the target from there. That is a letoff for Empoli and a letdown for Milan, who spent 90 seconds debating who would be the one to take.
36'
F. Barba gets yellow.
Wonderful bit of skill from Bonaventura, whose direct approach in possession has the hosts struggling a bit. The winger is tripped up at the vital moment by Barba atop the area, which sees the Empoli midfielder booked and Milan awarded a free-kick in an ideal locale.
34'
Niang comes close! The Frenchman uses the run of Honda to open up space for a shot, and sends a testing effort at goal. It's struck with real power, but at a comfortable height in the end for Skorupski.
32'
P. Zieliński has scored a goal for Empoli! Assist by R. Saponara.
Saponara makes his mark against his former team, assisting that goal with a remarkable pass. He was a doubt to even participae in the match, but there was no keeping him out!
LITTLE DOUBT ABOUT THIS ONE! Empoli have their equaliser, and it has been coming. Terrific work from the hosts who break with pace on the counter, with Saponara playing Zielinski through, and the midfielder finishes through the legs of a helpless Donnarumma!
30'
EMPOLI RESTORE PARITY..... BUT IT'S OFFSIDE! Great spot by the assistant referee, who puts his flag up to deny the hosts their equaliser from a free kick. Maccarone argues that he never touched it, but regardless of that fact he did interfere with play, which is enough for the linesman to make the call.
28'
STAT: In his last eight appearances with Milan (all competitions, including today), Carlos Bacca has mustered 14 shots, with 11 on target and six ending in a goal.
26'
CRACKING HIT! Bonaventura nearly scores a screamer for the Rossoneri! A hopeful, searching cross over the top arrives awkwardly at the winger in the left channel, and he sends a thunderous volley at goal with his weaker foot - but Skorupski gets down to keep it out! What a goal that would have been.
24'
Far away in the end! A great bit of play on the break sees Milan into attack, but options are lacking when Bonaventura gets on the ball. Empoli have enough bodies committed back in defence, forcing the winger to curl a shot wide of the far post.
22'
The bulk of Empoli's possession s coming right at the halfway line. The back four is touching the ball more than anyone, while Maiello has been very negative in possession. The midfielder, in for the suspended Paredes, needs to provide a greater link between defence and attack.
20'
The tempo is starting to slow a bit, with Empoli trying to take a more patient approach in possession. Both teams pride themselves on playing disciplined, organised football, and as a result it has made things awfully tight in the middle of the pitch.
18'
STAT: Milan have never lost any of the four away league games in which they were leading this season (3W, 1D); on the other hand Empoli have lost every time (four) they’ve been trailing in home matches.
16'
Important from Alex! Buchel springs a break for Empoli with the space behind Abate exploited. Pucciarelli makes a good run towards the near post, but Alex has just enough pace to recover and knock the ball behind for a corner. That should give the hosts some encouragement.
14'
Milan have done so well to up the tempo. They were on their heels early but have not let up since scoring the opening goal. They are in complete control moving the ball through midfield and suffocating Empoli when they look to break.
12'
Antonelli intervenes! Niang has the ball seemingly glued to his feet as he dribbles his way along the edge of the 18-yard-box. The striker finds a decent pocket of space, but Antonelli plucks the ball out of his feet and sends a dreadful effort at goal, which hardly pleases his teammate.
10'
Frantic moments at the back for Empoli! Tonelli over-runs the ball and it allows Milan to break quickly. The ball is played through for Niang to chase, but Skorupski is quick to come off his line, well out of the area before clearing the threat. The hosts eed to settle down in a big way here.
8'
C. Bacca has scored a goal for AC Milan! Assist by L. Antonelli.
It was a good pick out from Antonelli in the buildup, but there was plenty of work for the striker to do still.
YOU CAN'T DENY THIS MAN'S FORM! Bacca continues his incredible run by taking a pass in stride from Antonelli, before getting behind Barba and showing great composure to slot a finish beyond Skorupski to give Milan the lead... and against the run of play, it must be said.
7'
STAT: Empoli have won only two of their 21 Serie A matches against Milan (D6, L13).
5'
Exceptional work from Saponara! The brilliance of the young midfielder is on display just inside the edge of the Milan penalty area. He twits and turns to blaze a trail beyond Alex before squaring for Pucciarelli, but the striker just fails to control and get a shot off.
3'
Capable start from the visitors who attack with real intent when they get on the ball. They have everyone moving and running lanes in the final third to open up space in the Empoli defence, though the hosts have spent more time in possession in the opening few minutes.
1'
Empoli get the game underway!
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Milan’s trip to the Stadio Carlo Castellani to take on surprise-package Empoli, as Sinisa Mihajlovic’s squad try and keep their momentum going ahead of an important week for the club. The Rossoneri have the first leg of their Coppa Italia tie against Alessandria on Tuesday and a derby date with Inter looming a few days later. This is an important game for the club as a result, to maintain their confidence and stability in advance of what could be a decisive seven days to follow for them.
Empoli continue to string together results and solidify their place in the top half of the table, and are proving a difficult team to beat this season. They have been consistent in picking up victories over the teams below them, but their problem has been with their performances against teams above them in the table. They have yet to win a match against the current top six teams, picking up just two points. If they want to close the gap on the European places, that has to change.
Careful to not disrupt the chemistry currently developing within the team, Sinisa Mihajlovic has named the same starting lineup from the 2-0 victory over Fiorentina last weekend. The Rossoneri stick with the partnership of M'Baye Niang and Carlos Bacca up top, ahead of Mario Balotelli and Luiz Adriano. Keisuke Honda keeps his place in midfield as well, despite Juraj Kucka coming off the bench last week to provide an assist on the second Milan goal.
The big news surrounding the Empoli team is the inclusion of Ricardo Saponara, after the ex-Milan midfielder passed a late fitness test having originally being considered a doubt to participate. He replaces Rade Krunic, as one of four changes made by Marco Giampaolo following last week's draw with Chievo. Leonardo Paredes is suspended, paving the way for Napoli loanee Raffaele Maiello. Vincent Laurini and Marco Buchel also come into the XI, with Marco Zambelli and Daniele Croce dropping to the bench.
Bacca's opener has been cancelled out by Zielinski, as the teams head into the break all square after an entertaining half of football at the Stadio Carlo Castellani. It's perfectly poised for the second half, and an important one at that considering the proximity between the two teams in the table.
That's all for our live coverage from Empoli - thanks for following along! Good bye.
FULL TIME: EMPOLI 2-2 MILAN. The Rossoneri squander a pair of leads as they are forced to settle for a draw at the Stadio Carlo Castellani. Carlos Bacca and Giacomo Bonaventura provided the goals for the visitors, giving them the lead early on in both halves, but Piotr Zielinski and Massimo Maccarone twice helped the hosts battle back and secure a deserved point.
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