Empoli Vs Milan

After securing a place in the Coppa Italia semi-finals, AC Milan will now turn their attention back to the Serie A campaign as they seek to revive their fading hopes of finishing in the top four. On Saturday evening, they will face Empoli, a team struggling to maintain their position in Italy’s top flight. Despite Milan’s recent successes in cup competitions, their league form has been inconsistent, leaving them eighth in the standings, while their Tuscan hosts are also enduring a rough patch, slipping further down the table as the season progresses.

Milan’s midweek triumph over Roma not only secured their place in the final four of the Coppa Italia but also set up a tantalizing encounter against either Inter Milan or Lazio. Tammy Abraham, on loan from Roma, played a starring role in that 3-1 victory at San Siro, netting twice against his parent club to ensure Milan’s passage into the next round. This victory came on the heels of a dramatic Milan derby just days earlier, in which the Rossoneri attempted to notch their third win over Inter this season. Despite their best efforts, Sergio Conceicao’s men were denied a crucial win after conceding a late equalizer in stoppage time, allowing Inter to salvage a point.

As a result, Milan find themselves significantly trailing their city rivals in the Serie A standings. With European qualification hanging in the balance, their inconsistent league form has become a growing concern. While Conceicao had vowed to shore up Milan’s defensive frailties, his team has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six league outings, a worrying trend that stands in stark contrast to the defensive solidity they displayed earlier in the season when they kept four clean sheets in five matches. As they prepare for their trip to Tuscany, Milan must also overcome their recent struggles away from home, having suffered consecutive defeats on the road to Juventus and Dinamo Zagreb. Anything less than three points against Empoli would only add to the frustration of their fanbase, who have grown increasingly restless with the team’s erratic performances.

Meanwhile, Empoli have endured their own difficulties this season, particularly when facing Milan. The Tuscan side suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture back in November and have failed to score in each of their last four meetings with the Rossoneri. Furthermore, they have lost seven of their last eight encounters with Milan, highlighting the stark disparity between the two clubs in recent years. Historically, Empoli have never managed to secure a Serie A victory over Milan at Stadio Castellani, failing in 32 previous attempts to claim all three points against their illustrious opponents.

The current state of Empoli’s form does little to inspire confidence. Roberto D’Aversa’s side remains winless in 2025, with their most recent outing resulting in a humbling 4-1 defeat to Juventus. It was a match that started with promise as Mattia De Sciglio, a former Juventus player, gave Empoli an early lead. However, their hopes were dashed when a penalty awarded in their favor was controversially overturned by VAR. Shortly after, Empoli’s defensive frailties were exposed as they conceded twice in a span of three minutes, ultimately collapsing in stoppage time as Juventus added two more goals to complete a resounding victory.

Empoli’s struggles extend beyond just their latest setback. Over the course of the last eight league matches, they have accumulated the fewest points of any Serie A side, managing just two, while also conceding the most goals in that period, a staggering 18. This dismal run of form has left them hovering just one point above the relegation zone, setting up what is likely to be another arduous battle for survival in the remaining weeks of the campaign.

The situation is particularly dire when it comes to their home form. At the Castellani, Empoli have recorded just one league victory all season and have only managed to score five goals in front of their home supporters. With such an abysmal record, the prospect of toppling a side of Milan’s caliber appears increasingly daunting. However, football has often proved unpredictable, and Empoli will be eager to defy the odds and claim a much-needed victory to boost their survival hopes.

Milan, on the other hand, must find a way to balance their cup aspirations with their league commitments. Their progression in both the Champions League and Coppa Italia is commendable, but they cannot afford to neglect their Serie A campaign if they wish to secure a spot in next season’s premier European competition. Conceicao’s men have demonstrated their ability to rise to the occasion in knockout matches, but the inconsistency plaguing their league performances must be addressed if they are to re-establish themselves among the elite of Italian football.

One of Milan’s biggest concerns this season has been their defensive fragility. Despite possessing a squad filled with quality, they have struggled to maintain stability at the back, conceding goals at crucial moments. The late equalizer against Inter in the derby was a prime example of their inability to see out games, an issue that must be rectified if they are to achieve their objectives. Additionally, while Tammy Abraham’s heroics in the Coppa Italia have been crucial, Milan’s attacking unit must find greater consistency in the league. Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic, and Olivier Giroud have all had their moments this season, but the team as a whole has lacked fluidity in the final third, often failing to capitalize on their dominance in matches.

For Empoli, the primary focus will be on finding a way to shore up their leaky defense while also posing a greater threat in attack. Their inability to find the back of the net against Milan in recent encounters has been a major hindrance, and breaking that scoring drought could be pivotal in determining the outcome of Saturday’s match. Much will depend on the performances of key players such as Mattia De Sciglio and veteran striker Francesco Caputo, who will need to lead by example if Empoli are to stand any chance of securing a positive result.

As the match approaches, the stakes could not be higher for both teams. For Milan, it represents a crucial opportunity to reignite their push for a top-four finish and reaffirm their status as one of Italy’s elite clubs. For Empoli, it is a chance to defy expectations and take a vital step toward securing their Serie A survival. With both sides desperate for points, a fiercely contested battle is expected at Stadio Castellani, where the outcome could have significant ramifications for the remainder of the season.