AC Milan were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Empoli on Friday night, as we failed to follow up our big win at Napoli last weekend.
The Rossoneri set the standard and tone last time out, and as we continue to battle for a top-four finish in Serie A this season, it was vital that we built on that impressive performance and result.
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However, with one eye on our Champions League tie with Napoli, Stefano Pioli opted to make five changes to his starting line-up, and it didn’t pay off as we were poor in the attacking third throughout and ultimately failed to find a breakthrough.
This encounter arguably laid bare the need for a revamp of our attacking unit beyond the starters, as they simply didn’t do enough when called upon by Pioli, who will have to share that responsibility too in terms of failing to find the solutions which saw us drop more points in a potentially costly setback.
AC Milan player ratings vs Empoli:
Mike Maignan, 6 – Had very little to do as we controlled the game and limited Empoli’s attacking threat. Distribution was accurate to build out from the back.
Davide Calabria, 6 – Decent defensive shift, continued to push forward to offer width and an attacking outlet down the right side but couldn’t produce a decisive end product.
Malick Thiaw, 6.5 – Solid performance as he didn’t allow Empoli’s attacking players any joy through the middle with a composed and disciplined effort.
Fikayo Tomori, 6.5 – Similar story to his centre-half partner, as the pair didn’t have a great deal to do as we controlled the game well for the most part. Was alert to danger when needed though.
Theo Hernandez, 6.5 – Offered a threat going forward down the left flank, but didn’t get enough support or quality around him to make the difference as we struggled to find a breakthrough throughout.
Sandro Tonali, 6.5 – Did well off the ball to win possession back in the midfield area and was positive with his intent on the ball as he looked to move it quicker and get us up the pitch into dangerous areas.
Tommaso Pobega, 6 – Dropped deep between the two centre-halves a lot to try and dictate our play and kept us ticking in possession. Like many of his teammates though, the quality was missing to make a decisive impact.
Alexis Saelemaekers, 6 – Showed some really good touches and was positive in his play to try and find a way through the Empoli defence. However, the quality that we saw from him in Naples wasn’t there on this occasion, as he couldn’t produce a cutting edge to his play.
Ismael Bennacer, 5.5 – Not a great performance as he struggled in this new tweaked role. Had little time on the ball in a crowded part of the pitch, and that led to sloppy play at times with his influence on the game severely limited.
Ante Rebic, 5 – Had his moments where he could have made the difference, but lacked that killer instinct in possession in threatening situations. Worked hard, but didn’t match that with enough quality in the final third as we struggled to build sustained pressure and create clear-cut chances.
Divock Origi, 4 – The reaction from the Milan supporters when we was replaced said it all, as he was booed off following a bitterly disappointing performance. Didn’t offer any real threat in front of goal and gave possession away on countless occasions. Question marks need to be raised not only over the decision to sign him, but also why he’s getting chances over others when he continues to offer very little.
Substitutes:
Alessandro Florenzi, 6 – Hit the post with an effort late on and continued to play dangerous crosses into the box, but wasn’t able to provide a decisive moment.
Brahim Diaz, 5.5 – Had a big chance of his own after coming on but couldn’t convert. After his impressive performance against Napoli, should have arguably started again here to build on that momentum and form.
Olivier Giroud, 5.5 – Thought he’d won it in dramatic late fashion but the goal was rightly ruled out. Wasn’t particularly influential in our overall play but added a presence and threat in and around the box.
Rafael Leao, 6 – Injected some much-needed quality and pace into our performance, and it was frustrating to see the decision to bring him on take so long as his presence shifted the pattern of the game given the threat he carries.
Charles De Ketelaere, N/A
