Empoli 0-2 Milan Player Ratings: Triple-change from Conceicao makes all the difference for the Rossoneri
Empoli hosted Milan at the Carlo Castellani Stadium in Serie A on Saturday, February 8 and the visitors secured a comfortable 2-0 win after a second-half resurgence.
The first half was a torrid affair which saw Empoli’s Mattia Viti pick up an injury and be replaced. Three players were shown yellow cards but there were no goals to report in the first period.
Sergio Conceicao made a game-changing triple change during the interval. Shortly after, though, Fikayo Tomori was sent off. However, the balance was restored just 10 minutes later, with Luca Marianucci picking up a red as well.
Goals from Rafael Leao and Santiago Gimenez around 10 minutes apart from each other, both assisted by Christian Pulisic, secured the win for Milan.
Here are Empoli vs Milan player ratings.
Empoli Player Ratings vs Milan
Goalkeeper
Devis Vasquez – 6.5/10
He had a decent first half and made one save for Empoli, but conceded two goals in the second half.
Defenders
Mattia De Sciglio – 7.5/10
He won eight of nine duels, making five clearances, four tackles and two interceptions.
Luca Marianucci – 6.5/10
He had a decent game but was sent off harshly after reacting to being provoked.
Mattia Viti – 6.5/10
Viti started the game in a composed manner but was forced off due to an unknown injury.
Midfielders
Emmanuel Gyasi – 6.5/10
Gyasi was average on the right flank and was unable to make an impact.
Liam Henderson – 6.5/10
Henderson played one key pass and two crosses in a decent performance in midfield.
Alberto Grassi – 7/10
The Empoli captain played well in midfield but picked up a yellow for a rash tackle.
Giuseppe Pezzella – 6/10
He had a subpar outing and failed to make an impact.
Forwards
Sebastiano Esposito – 7/10
The Inter loanee had a decent game as he attempted one shot, played one key pass and won eight duels.
Liberato Cacace – 6.5/10
He failed to attempt a single shot but played one key pass and won two duels.
Lorenzo Colombo – 6.5/10
Colombo attempted two shots but failed to hit the target for Empoli. He also won six duels and made two clearances.
Substitutes
Saba Goglichidze – 6.5/10
He replaced Viti and could not make an impact either.
Szymon Zurkowski – 6.5/10
He replaced Colombo up front but failed to attempt a single shot.
Christian Kouame – 7/10
He won six of seven duels and played one key pass in a good cameo for Empoli.
Ismael Konate & Jacopo Bacci – N/A
The pair played less than 10 minutes apiece and do not warrant a rating.
Manager
Roberto D’Aversa – 6.5/10
He set his team up well but they fell to a defeat in the second period.
Milan Player Ratings vs Empoli
Goalkeeper
Mike Maignan – 7/10
The Milan skipper earned a clean sheet without making a single save in this match.
Defenders
Kyle Walker – 7.5/10
Walker had a great game, winning five duels and making three clearances and one interception. He also played one key pass.
Fikayo Tomori – 6.5/10
He had a good first half and picked up a booking but was harshly sent off in the second half without an official review.
Strahinja Pavlovic – 7.5/10
Pavlovic was solid in defence, winning seven duels and making five clearances and one interception.
Theo Hernandez – 8/10
Hernandez won seven duels, making four clearances and one tackle. He also played three key passes and one cross.
Midfielders
Yunus Musah – 7/10
Musah played four long balls and won four duels in a good outing for Milan.
Youssouf Fofana – 6.5/10
Fofana won just one duel in midfield in the first half and was unable to play a key pass or cross.
Tijjani Reijnders – 7.5/10
Reijnders completed 49 passes with perfect accuracy, including three key passes. He also won four duels, making one clearance and one interception.
Forwards
Alex Jimenez – 6/10
He had a poor first half for Milan and could not make an impact in the final third.
Tammy Abraham – 6.5/10
Abraham started the match but failed to attempt a single shot in the first half and was subbed off.
Joao Felix – 6.5/10
Felix played one key pass and won eight duels, but also picked up a booking.
Substitutes
Christian Pulisic – 8/10
He changed the course of the game for Milan with two great assists after coming on.
Rafael Leao – 7.5/10
Leao scored a lovely goal to put his team 1-0 up after 68 minutes.
Santiago Gimenez – 7.5/10
Gimenez doubled his team’s lead in the 76th minute with a well-taken goal.
Malick Thiaw – 6.5/10
He came on and helped Milan keep things tight at the back.
Filippo Terracciano – N/A
He played less than 10 minutes and does not warrant a rating.
Manager
Sergio Conceicao – 8/10
He made a fantastic triple-change at half-time that completely turned the tide in Milan’s favour.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What was the result of Empoli vs Milan?
A. Empoli 0-2 Milan.
Q. When was Empoli vs Milan?
A. Empoli will host Milan on Saturday, February 8 at 5:00 PM GMT.
Q. Who was the man of the match in Empoli vs Milan?
A. Christian Pulisic of Milan was the man of the match.
Q. Who was the worst performer in Empoli vs Milan?
A. Giuseppe Pezzella of Empoli was the worst performer.