The five key battles that could win or lose the game for Milan against Empoli | OneFootball

AC Milan are back in Serie A action this evening following their midweek trip to face Slovan Bratislava as Empoli come to San Siro.

Milan scored three times, got three points and continued their push for the top eight in the Champions League, but despite this the mood after the game in the Slovakian capital was hardly joyous.

The same defensive worries were on display Paulo Fonseca is a man under pressure to fix recurring issues. Empoli arrive as a mid-table team and thus could see the game as a bit of a free hit, which carries its own dangers.

The five key battles

There will be some rather interesting duels that take place across the field, which could determine the outcome of the game depending on who wins them.

We start with the return of the ex, Pietro Pellegri. He already scored three goals (one in each of his last three matches) in nine games of this season – as many as in the previous two Serie A seasons, but in 42 matches with Torino.

Pellegri admitted a desire to ‘punish’ his former club Milan in the build-up to the game, and that is why his compatriot Matteo Gabbia – fresh from a renewal until 2029 – will have to remain alert and ensure that he isn’t able to get on the end of any service that comes in.

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We have seen that Alvaro Morata is not limited to playing simply the role of being a traditional centre-forward under Fonseca. The Spaniard links the attack and midfield together, but often finds himself outside the box due to his work rate.

The problem with not being in the penalty area much is that it can correspond with a lack of goals, and Morata hasn’t scored in Serie A for two months. Ardian Ismajli meanwhile is the bedrock of an impressive Empoli defence (the fourth-best in the league), and will be well up for the battle.

Last night it emerged that Yunus Musah should start on the right wing, and he could play a key tactical role. The American may just form part of the attacking trident that will support Morata, but he can also drop into a wing-back position or even tuck in to form a midfield three, allowing fluidity in terms of formations.

A lot of his movement might be dictated by Giuseppe Pezzella, who has apparently emerged as a transfer target for the Rossoneri in view of January. The left wing-back likes to get forward and be involved in attacks, though he too will have to be defensively cautious.

Looking at an area where Milan might be able to get some joy, our eyes are instantly drawn to Empoli’s right side where Saba Goglichidze should start as the centre-back. Although the 20-year-old Georgian looks like an interesting talent, he will have easier jobs than keeping an in-form Rafael Leao at bay.

The Portuguese winger has had a very positive November already after shining at the Bernabeu, against Cagliari, for his national team and then against Slovan Bratislava. He will hope to keep the good run going and perhaps give Goglichidze a bit of an education, with no disrespect intended.

An honourable mention in terms of battles must go to Lorenzo Colombo (a Milan loanee) against Malick Thiaw, but we will end with a duel in the midfield between Tijjani Reijnders and Liam Henderson.

The Dutchman and the Scotsman can both fly (pun intended) when they are on their game and they are the creative metronomes for both of their sides, providing service into the striker and to the flanks. Henderson has had some injury issues while Reijnders has been immovable, so it will be interesting to see how they track each other’s movement.