By Anna Italia
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45% Ball Possession EMPOLI and 55% Ball Possession AC MILAN
      Empoli 2 – 2 AC Milan

13′ Lorenzo Tonelli                               43′ Fernando Torres
21′ Manuel Pucciarelli                        57′ Keisuke Honda

Empoli challenging AC Milan at the Stadio Carlo Castellani.  A determined Empoli taking the lead in the first half while AC Milan struggling.    It’s a flop for Milan unable to win this away game while for Empoli it’s a golden draw.  Chances for Milan now to catch up the first three position become difficult.

Spanish forward Fernando Torres making his debut with AC Milan and with a goal.  An agonizing first half with Referee Calvarese sending off Empoli coach at the end of the first half for protesting.

Empoli opening the score in the 13th minute following  a corner conceded by Milan defender Ignazio Abate.  It is Empoli midfielder Mirko Valdifiori to provide the assist to defender Lorenzo Tonelli for the headed goal defeating AC Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati in the top right corner.

Milan looking desolated and already conceding another goal in the 21st minute!  The assist by forward Francesco Tavano to forward Manuel Pucciarelli defeating Milan goalkeeper Abbiati with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.   It’s a wake up call for the rossoneri to react while Empoli fans increasing their chant to encourage the team.  It seems Milan’s defense are on vacation…..

AC Milan shortening the distance in the 43rd minute with “EL Nino Torres.”  Yep, there it is the dreamed debut for Torres scoring with a headed shot defeating Empoli goalkeeper in the top left corner.  The assist is by Milan defender Ignazio Abate.  Fernando Torres scoring his first goal for Milan.

Milan starting the second half with a substitution in the 45th minute replacing midfielder Sulley Muntari with midfielder Andrea Poli.

The assist man in action again!  Milan defender Ignazio Abate providing the assist to forward Keisuke Honda for the equalizer goal.  Honda defeating Empoli goalkeeper with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner.  Immediate celebration with Abate going to embrace coach Filippo Inzaghi.

Empoli replacing forward Francesco Tavano with forward Massimo Maccarone in the 64th minute.  Fans welcoming Maccarone with an ovation.

Empoli with a substitution in the 76th minute replacing forward Manuel Pucciarelli with midfielder Piotr Zielinski.

Maccarone challenging Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati in the 77th minute with a left footed shot and is saved in the center.

Milan replacing forward Fernando Torres in the 81st minute with forward Giampaolo Pazzini.

Oops problems for Empoli!  In the 85th minute Referee Calvarese giving a second yellow card to midfielder Mirko Valdifiori and leaves the team with 10 players.

Here is EMPOLI official starting lineup by coach Maurizio Sarri:

Empoli (4-3-1-2): Sepe; Laurini, Rugani, Tonelli, Mário Rui; Vecino, Valdifiori, Croce; Verdi; Tavano, Pucciarelli.

Here is AC MILAN official starting lineup by coach Filippo Inzaghi:

AC Milan (4-3-3):  Christian Abbiati; Ignazio Abate, Daniele Bonera, Zapata, De Sciglio; Sulley Muntari, Nigel de Jong, van Ginkel; Keisuke Honda, Fernando Torres, Jereny Ménez.

AC Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi and vice Coach Mauro Tassotti… after the draw more questions than answers….  AC Milan needed to win this game to keep up the race for the Scudetto and now will have to find their way back to victory.

Click the video to watch the highlights of the match EMPOLI – AC MILAN, Tuesday 23 September 2014, Stadio Carlo Castellani, Empoli, Italy

To be added

Click the video to watch the commentaries from DIRETTA STADIO 7 Gold by Tiziano Crudelli on Empoli vs AC Milan

Italian Serie A Week 4

Empoli – AC Milan
Tuesday 23 September  2014
Stadio Carlo Castellani Stadium
Empoli,  Italy

20:45

Referee: CALVARESE
Assistants: COSTANZO – CRISPO
Fourth Official: MELI
ADD1: ORSATO
ADD2: MARIANI

Goals:

Official formations – lineups:

Empoli (4-3-1-2): Sepe; Laurini, Rugani, Tonelli, Mário Rui; Vecino, Valdifiori, Croce; Verdi; Tavano, Pucciarelli.

Subs.: Pugliesi, Bassi; Barba, Perticone, Bianchetti, Hysaj, Guarente, Signorelli, Laxalt, Zielinski, Maccarone, Rovini.

Coach.: Maurizio Sarri.

AC Milan (4-3-3):  Christian Abbiati; Ignazio Abate, Daniele Bonera, Zapata, De Sciglio; Sulley Muntari, Nigel de Jong, van Ginkel; Keisuke Honda, Fernando Torres, Jereny Ménez.

Subs.: Agazzi; Gori, Albertazzi, Mexès, Zaccardo, Armero, Rami, Poli, Bonaventura, El Shaarawy, Pazzini, Niang.

Coach.: Inzaghi.