Finally back in action a fortnight after their first defeat of the Serie A season, AC Milan aim for a return to winning ways when they visit Empoli on Saturday.
Following their loss to Napoli before the international break, the champions sit fifth in the standings, while their hosts finally managed to get off the mark with a win last time out.
Match preview
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At the end of a strange seventh round in Serie A, where Juventus, Inter and Roma lost on the same day as Milan for the first time in nearly 70 years, the Rossoneri suffered a rare setback at San Siro just before internationals intervened.
Though Olivier Giroud continued his happy habit of popping up in the most high-profile matches with a goal - levelling the scores with a 69th-minute strike - it was Napoli that came out top in a close-fought tussle to go top of the table, thanks to Giovanni Simeone's headed winner.
Stefano Pioli has since had two weeks to mull over his side's first league defeat since February, and now returns to the touchline aiming to kick off another such run - this time adding European success to the Scudetto they lifted in May.
Just days before being slain by Napoli, Milan had claimed a first Champions League victory of their Group E campaign: seeing off the challenge of Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb, with Giroud again among the scorers.
They will visit Stamford Bridge next Wednesday, as their quest for an eighth continental crown continues against Chelsea, but must first take care of business in Tuscany this weekend.
Pioli's men have drawn three of four away games this season in all competitions, and will surely expect to fare better when welcomed by hosts enduring a tough 2022. Indeed, Milan have lost just one of their last 11 Serie A matches versus Empoli, and none at all since a 2-1 home defeat in April 2017.
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Beaten 4-2 in the equivalent fixture last year, before going down 1-0 at San Siro, Empoli have yet to win a single home game against the Rossoneri in the Italian top flight, encompassing 14 games (seven draws and seven losses).
They will, though, host the champions at Stadio Carlo Castellani having claimed the first victory of a troubled campaign in their most recent outing - a 1-0 win against Bologna.
Filippo Bandinelli struck in the 75th minute at Dall'Ara to take them above their hosts to 14th in the standings and ease some of the pressure mounting on head coach Paolo Zanetti.
Empoli could now win successive league matches for the first time since December should they shock Milan on Saturday night, as they have been unable to do so throughout a prolonged period of struggle since the turn of the year.
Even since switching the managers during the summer, there have been few signs of revival, and - including an early Coppa Italia exit - Zanetti took eight competitive games to taste success. Going back-to-back, however, may prove beyond his squad, given the strength of their latest opposition.
Team News
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Post-internationals, Milan have new occupants of the treatment room at Milanello, as Theo Hernandez returned to Italy injured last week and his France teammate Mike Maignan sustained a calf injury against Austria. The Rossoneri's first-choice goalkeeper could be sidelined for several weeks, so Ciprian Tatarusanu deputises.
Another of Les Bleus' latest squad, veteran striker Olivier Giroud may be called upon to start again, and the 35-year-old has netted in each of his last three Serie A appearances - he could now score in four successive league games for the first time since 2017.
While Giroud should enjoy support from Rafael Leao - who returns from suspension after his dismissal against Sampdoria - fellow forwards Divock Origi and long-term absentee Zlatan Ibrahimovic miss out again; Ante Rebic is also a major doubt.
Empoli, meanwhile, have concerns over centre-back Ardian Ismajli, but Tommaso Baldanzi and Mattia Destro are expected to return from injury.
Since 2019, former Milan loanee Destro has scored the joint-most goals against the Rossoneri in Serie A (four in four matches), alongside both Romelu Lukaku and Ciro Immobile.
Italy Under-21 starlet Fabiano Parisi starts at left-back for the hosts, and has completed the most dribbles of any player in the top flight this season (14). Indeed, among defenders in the top five European leagues, only two others have managed more.
Empoli possible starting lineup:
Vicario; Stojanovic, Walukiewicz, Luperto, Parisi; Haas, Marin, Bandinelli; Bajrami; Lammers, Destro
AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Tatarusanu; Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori, Ballo-Toure; Bennacer, Tonali; Saelemaekers, De Ketelaere, Leao; Giroud
We say: Empoli 0-1 AC Milan
Having kept a relatively good defensive record due to a series of low-scoring draws, Empoli are no pushovers this season, for all their ongoing struggles. Therefore, injury-hit Milan may win by a single goal at the Castellani.
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Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
