Scorer: Saudati 55 (E)
Luca Saudati has sent Milan to a shock home defeat as the Rossoneri are undoubtedly in crisis. This result means Empoli are level on points with the giants and the San Siro crowd booed Carlo Ancelotti's men off the field.
The Rossoneri were buoyed by their stunning 5-1 win at Lazio in Week 7, but going into this game were still without a home victory in Serie A. Paolo Maldini returned to the fray for his seasonal debut after injury problems, but Ronaldo remained sidelined and Kaka was rested. Empoli needed a boost after their shock 3-0 defeat to Siena, but Daniele Adani was suspended. The Tuscans' record here was abysmal with just one win and seven defeats in Serie A, during which they scored three goals and conceded 16.
There was a curious moment before kick-off, as Nelson Dida went all around the pitch bowing to the San Siro crowd as an apology for the farce at Celtic that saw him suspended for two Champions League games for feigning injury.
Clarence Seedorf and Pippo Inzaghi had two early chances, but Empoli should have taken the lead when Moro was left unmarked for a volley over from seven yards with the inside of his right foot.
Seedorf and Andrea Pirlo exchanged passes in the area and had timid penalty appeals waved away. Antonio Busce' exchanged passes with Luca Saudati, but fired wide of the target.
Felice Piccolo did well to close down Inzaghi inside the box after he had chested down Seedorf's cross on the counter-attack. Soon after, Inzaghi sprung the offside trap on Pirlo's pass over the defence, but this time Andrea Raggi stuck close to him to prevent the strike, also thanks to a poor first touch.
Empoli wasted another golden opportunity on the counter with Moro blasting well over. The second half began in similar circumstances with chaotic defending. Saudati sprung the offside trap thanks to Marek Jankulovski and was totally clear on goal, but perhaps thinking he might've been flagged, he incredibly turned the header wide of the target!
The Rossoneri also went close moments later when Daniele Balli cut short Seedorf's inspired solo effort.
The endless defensive errors cost Milan in the end, though, as Saudati jumped between two defenders to nod in Marianini's cross from the right and give Empoli a shock lead at San Siro.
Carlo Ancelotti's men pushed forward even more, giving extra space for the counter-attack and Dida smothered a Saudati volley, while Alberto Gilardino's cross-shot struck the side-netting.
Ancelotti had to do something, introducing Cristian Brocchi, Yoann Gourcuff and Kakha Kaladze. Balli was at full stretch to block Massimo Ambrosini's sliding finish with his fingertips, but the San Siro crowd had run out of patience and jeered their every move.
Pirlo's central free kick was easily gathered, as Empoli clammed up in their own half to deny any spaces. Brocchi had two consecutive efforts charged down and Gilardino's header from a Massimo Oddo corner kick was well held.
A goalline clearance kept out Gilardino, although he had been flagged offside.
Milan: Dida; Oddo, Nesta, Maldini (Kaladze 67), Jankulovski; Gattuso (Brocchi 64), Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf; Gilardino, Inzaghi (Gourcuff 64)
Empoli: Balli; Raggi, Vanigli, Piccolo, Marianini; Buscè, Marchisio, Moro, Antonini (Tosto 64); Pozzi (Giacomazzi 56), Saudati (Giovinco 79)
Ref: Giannoccaro
Luca Saudati has sent Milan to a shock home defeat as the Rossoneri are undoubtedly in crisis. This result means Empoli are level on points with the giants and the San Siro crowd booed Carlo Ancelotti's men off the field.
The Rossoneri were buoyed by their stunning 5-1 win at Lazio in Week 7, but going into this game were still without a home victory in Serie A. Paolo Maldini returned to the fray for his seasonal debut after injury problems, but Ronaldo remained sidelined and Kaka was rested. Empoli needed a boost after their shock 3-0 defeat to Siena, but Daniele Adani was suspended. The Tuscans' record here was abysmal with just one win and seven defeats in Serie A, during which they scored three goals and conceded 16.
There was a curious moment before kick-off, as Nelson Dida went all around the pitch bowing to the San Siro crowd as an apology for the farce at Celtic that saw him suspended for two Champions League games for feigning injury.
Clarence Seedorf and Pippo Inzaghi had two early chances, but Empoli should have taken the lead when Moro was left unmarked for a volley over from seven yards with the inside of his right foot.
Seedorf and Andrea Pirlo exchanged passes in the area and had timid penalty appeals waved away. Antonio Busce' exchanged passes with Luca Saudati, but fired wide of the target.
Felice Piccolo did well to close down Inzaghi inside the box after he had chested down Seedorf's cross on the counter-attack. Soon after, Inzaghi sprung the offside trap on Pirlo's pass over the defence, but this time Andrea Raggi stuck close to him to prevent the strike, also thanks to a poor first touch.
Empoli wasted another golden opportunity on the counter with Moro blasting well over. The second half began in similar circumstances with chaotic defending. Saudati sprung the offside trap thanks to Marek Jankulovski and was totally clear on goal, but perhaps thinking he might've been flagged, he incredibly turned the header wide of the target!
The Rossoneri also went close moments later when Daniele Balli cut short Seedorf's inspired solo effort.
The endless defensive errors cost Milan in the end, though, as Saudati jumped between two defenders to nod in Marianini's cross from the right and give Empoli a shock lead at San Siro.
Carlo Ancelotti's men pushed forward even more, giving extra space for the counter-attack and Dida smothered a Saudati volley, while Alberto Gilardino's cross-shot struck the side-netting.
Ancelotti had to do something, introducing Cristian Brocchi, Yoann Gourcuff and Kakha Kaladze. Balli was at full stretch to block Massimo Ambrosini's sliding finish with his fingertips, but the San Siro crowd had run out of patience and jeered their every move.
Pirlo's central free kick was easily gathered, as Empoli clammed up in their own half to deny any spaces. Brocchi had two consecutive efforts charged down and Gilardino's header from a Massimo Oddo corner kick was well held.
A goalline clearance kept out Gilardino, although he had been flagged offside.
Milan: Dida; Oddo, Nesta, Maldini (Kaladze 67), Jankulovski; Gattuso (Brocchi 64), Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf; Gilardino, Inzaghi (Gourcuff 64)
Empoli: Balli; Raggi, Vanigli, Piccolo, Marianini; Buscè, Marchisio, Moro, Antonini (Tosto 64); Pozzi (Giacomazzi 56), Saudati (Giovinco 79)
Ref: Giannoccaro
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