By Anna Italia
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42% Ball Possession AC MILAN and 58% Ball Possession EMPOLI
AC Milan 1 – 1 Empoli 
40′ Mattia Destro 68′ Massimo Maccarone
Serie A Standing BEFORE the game:
AC Milan, 12th position with 29 points and a positive goal difference of +3
Empoli, 15th position with 23 points and a negative goal difference of -5
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | Goals | DIFF | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Milan | 22 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 32:29 | 3 | 29 |
| 15 | Empoli | 22 | 4 | 11 | 7 | 21:26 | -5 | 23 |
The crisis continues for AC Milan unable to show a consistent performance. It’s a fact that AC Milan’s objective to reach the 3rd position seems now just only a dream, a mirage. Fans in San Siro whistling at the end of the game showing their disappointment. On the contrary, Empoli fans happy to see their team grabbing a precious draw. AC Milan ending with 10 players after Referee sent off with a red card goalkeeper Diego Lopez in the 84th minute.
A positive note is seeing AC Milan forward Mattia Destro scoring his first goal as a Milan player. Destro defeating Empoli goalkeeper Luigi Sepe in the 40th minute with a right footed shot in the top left corner from close range. The assist is by midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura.
It’s an agony for AC Milan not finding their way out of this black season. Empoli equalizing in the 68th minute with forward Massimo Maccarone defeating goalkeeper Diego Lopez with a headed shot in the bottom left corner. The assist is by defender Elseid Hysaj. It’s the 5th goal by Maccarone this season.
Just towards the end of the game, a final blow. Referee Valeri giving a red card to AC Milan goalkeeper Diego Lopez in the 84th minute after a handball. Coach Filippo Inzaghi had to substitute forward Mattia Destro to give space to goalkeeper Christian Abbiati.
The situation for the Rossoneri is tough ending now in the 10th position while Empoli with this one point climbs towards the 14th position.
Previously, there are 9 precedents for AC Milan vs Empoli. Stats showing Milan with 7 wins and Empoli with 2 wins.
Here is AC MILAN official starting lineup by coach Filippo Inzaghi:
AC MILAN: (4-4-2) Diego Lopéz; Rami, Alex, Paletta, Antonelli; Honda, Poli, de Jong, Bonaventura; Destro, Ménez.
Here is EMPOLI official starting lineup by coach Maurizio Sarri:
EMPOLI: (4-3-1-2) Sepe; Hysaj, Tonelli, Rugani, Mário Rui; Vecino, Valdifiori, Croce; Zielinski; Pucciarelli, Maccarone
Click the video to watch AC Milan vs Empoli highlights on Sunday 15 February 2015 in San Siro.
Click the video to watch the commentaries by Diretta Stadio with Tiziano Crudelli on AC Milan – Empoli.
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Stats AFTER the game. Top scorer for AC MILAN: Forward Jeremy Menez with 12 goals
Top scorer for EMPOLI: Forward Massimo Maccarone with 5 goals
| AC Milan | Goals | Goals | Empoli |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menez, Jeremy | 12 | 5 | Maccarone, Massimo |
| Honda, Keisuke | 6 | 4 | Tonelli, Lorenzo |
| Bonaventura, Giacomo | 3 | 3 | Pucciarelli, Manuel |
| de Jong, Nigel | 2 | 2 | Tavano, Francesco |
| Muntari, Sulley | 2 | 2 | Rugani, Daniele |
Stats. Here are the last 3 games of AC MILAN: 1 win, 2 lost
| 07/02/15 | SA | Juventus – Milan | 3:1 | Round 22 | |||
| 01/02/15 | SA | Milan – Parma | 3:1 | Round 21 | |||
| 27/01/15 | CI | Milan – Lazio | 0:1 | Quarterfinal |
Here are the last 3 games of EMPOLI: 2 wins, 1 draw
| 08/02/15 | SA | Empoli – Cesena | 2:0 | Round 22 | |||
| 31/01/15 | SA | Roma – Empoli | 1:1 | Round 21 | |||
| 26/01/15 | SA | Empoli – Udinese | 1:2 | Round 20 |
Disciplinary situation BEFORE the game. 1 suspended player for AC MILAN: Mexes (2)
No suspended players for EMPOLI.
Photos AC Milan vs Empoli courtesy of acmilan.com
AC Milan forward Mattia Destro celebrating after his goal against Empoli.
AC Milan midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura and forwardMattia Destr
AC Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi “a worried look”
Empoli forward Simone Verdi and AC Milan forward Jeremy Menez
Photo: facebook.com/empolifcofficialpage
2014 – 2015 Italian Serie A Week 23
AC Milan 1 – 1 Empoli
Sunday 15 February 2015
San Siro Stadium
Milan, Italy
12:30
Referee: VALERI
Assistants: NICOLETTI – VIVENZI
Fourth Official: GIALLATINI
ADD1: CERVELLERA
ADD2: AURELIANO
Goals: 40′ Mattia Destro (M), 68′ Massimo Maccarone (E)
Official formations – lineups:
Match Stats
| AC Milan | Match Stats | Empoli |
| 1 | Goals | 1 |
| 7(2) | Shots (on goal) | 16(3) |
| 23 | Fouls | 17 |
| 2 | Corner kicks | 3 |
| 3 | Offsides | 1 |
| 42% | Ball Possession | 58% |
| 3 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 1 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 2 | Saves | 1 |