PIATEK, KESSIE AND CASTI SEAL THE DEAL AT SAN SIRO

It was a clear and important win following a great second-half display. AC Milan beat Empoli 3-0 at home with three goals in the span of 22 minutes sealing a third consecutive win. The Rossoneri did what they had to after struggling to take the lead against a well-organised opponent before kicking on to show great efficiency in attack while staying solid at the back. The team and individuals all performed well. The striker Piatek scored again in the league at San Siro while Kessie and Castillejo also got on the scoresheet. Elsewhere, Conti, Calhanoglu performed well, while Biglia made his comeback. Gattuso's lads passed another test, showing their desire, maturity and unity as they look to secure a Champions League spot. Now, the Diavolo are alone in fourth spot on 45 points with a four-point gap over Roma and only one point behind Inter.

SEE THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN V EMPOLI

MATCH REPORT

Milan took control of the game but were unable to create any real chances apart from the Paquetá goal from a Rodriguez cross that was disallowed for offside by VAR. Castillejo enjoyed a couple of sights of goal, first in the 22nd minute when Dragowski saved and then again in the 26th minute when his right-foot effort from the edge of the box was turned behind for a corner. There wasn't much time on the ball and the Rossoneri weren't at their most inspired with Kessie hitting the side-netting in the 45th minute. At the start of the second half, Piatek found the net in the 49th minute after Krunic previously missed from an excellent position. Calhanoglu played in a low cross for Krzysztof who turned home first-time from the six-yard-box. The follow-up blow came straight after in the 51st minute when Castillejo sent Kessie through who chipped the ball over the oncoming Dragowski to double the lead. Milan were unstoppable by now and Samu made it 3-0 in the 67th minute with a cute finish at the near post after a pinpoint Conti assist. In the 76th minute, VAR disallowed another goal for offside, with Borini the unfortunate party this time.

AC MILAN 3-0 EMPOLI

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Conti, Musacchio, Romagnoli, Rodriguez; Kessie, Bakayoko (80' Biglia), Paquetá (69' Borini); Castillejo, Piatek (69' Cutrone), Calhanoglu. Subs: A. Donnarumma, Plizzari; Abate, Calabria, Laxalt, Strinic; Bertolacci, Mauri, Montolivo. Coach: Gattuso.

EMPOLI (3-5-2): Dragowski; Veseli, Silvestre, Dell’Orco; Di Lorenzo, Acquah (66' Ucan), Bennacer, Krunic, Pasqual (74' Pajac); Farias (66' La Gumina), Caputo. Subs: Provedel; Diks, Maietta, Nikolau, Rasmussen; Brighi, Capezzi, Traoré; Oberlin. Coach: Iachini.

Referee: Piero Giacomelli from Trieste.
Goals: 49' Piatek (M), 51' Piatek (M), 67' Castillejo (M).
Booked: 55' Di Lorenzo (E), 71' Calhanoglu (M).

RELIVE AC MILAN V EMPOLI PLAY BY PLAY

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