AC Milan will continue their quest for the top four this Friday when they welcome Empoli to San Siro for the 229th round of the 2022/23 Serie A season.
The hosts kept their chances of finishing in the Champions League spot of the Serie A table alive with a huge 4-0 win over champions-elect Napoli last time. The win ended a four-game (D2, L2) winless competitive run for Stefano Piolli’s men and .moved them into third position on the table.
While that should spark confidence for the rest of the season, Pioli warned, “It’s just one game”, as he aims to stay focused on two competitions. A win against Empoli will keep the pressure on second-placed Lazio. However, Pioli could already have one eye on their Champions League quarter-finals first-leg next week against Napoli.
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With six wins out of their last nine Seria A home matches (D2, L1), scoring 2+ goals on seven occasions, the Rossoneri could be warming San Siro for the bigger battle ahead. So we can expect an over 2.5 goals game here.
Empoli will look to break a poor run of form in their games against AC Milan, having lost their last four games against their hosts.
They will hope to take advantage of a potentially distracted Milan as they travel with a 12-point cushion above the relegation zone after a 1-0 win over Lecce last matchday halted a four-game losing streak.
Coach Paolo Zanetti celebrated the three points and hinted that the visitors “want to make a good impression” here, aiming for their fourth win in a 16th away competitive H2Hs (D1, L11). Zanetti’s men had won at this venue earlier in February against Inter Milan (1-0) but failed to build upon that victory, losing three of their next four away league games (D1).
They will hope for a better away outing this time as they attempt to get into the top half.
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