AC Milan’s recent acquisitions are poised to make a significant impact in their upcoming fixture with Empoli. Following impressive substitute appearances midweek, new signings Joao Felix and Santiago Gimenez are expected to see increased playing time. Felix, who found the net on his debut, and Gimenez, who boasts an impressive record of 65 goals in 105 games during his tenure at Feyenoord, are set to bolster Milan’s attacking options.
The departure of Alvaro Morata has opened up competition for the striker position, with Gimenez likely to challenge Tammy Abraham for a starting role. As Milan prepares for a crucial Champions League playoff against Gimenez’s former club, manager Sergio Conceicao may opt for tactical adjustments.
Additional reinforcements Riccardo Sottil and Warren Bondo are now available for selection, providing Conceicao with more options. However, the team still faces some injury setbacks, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Emerson Royal, and Alessandro Florenzi remaining on the sidelines.
On the other side of the pitch, Empoli are grappling with a substantial injury crisis. Key players Ola Solbakken, Pietro Pellegri, Nicolas Haas, Saba Sazonov, and Tyronne Ebuehi are all unavailable due to various injuries. The team’s woes are compounded by fitness concerns surrounding Tino Anjorin, Jacopo Fazzini, and Ardian Ismajli, who are all facing late fitness tests.
There is a glimmer of hope for Empoli as center-back Mattia Viti has returned to training. The team will also welcome back Alberto Grassi and Giuseppe Pezzella from suspension. However, Youssef Maleh will be absent due to a one-match ban following his late dismissal against Juventus.
In attack, Empoli are set to field a partnership of Inter-owned Sebastiano Esposito and Milan loanee Lorenzo Colombo. The latter has been in fine form, netting five goals in 23 Serie A appearances this season. Colombo is on the verge of setting a new personal best, needing just one more goal to achieve this milestone.
Empoli (3-5-2): Vasquez; Goglichidze, Viti, De Sciglio; Gyasi, Henderson, Grassi, Cacace, Pezzella; Esposito, Colombo
AC Milan (4-3-3): Maignan; Walker, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Musah, Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Gimenez, Leao
