Tijjani Reijnders scored twice at a foggy San Siro after Alvaro Morata’s opener, as Milan swept Empoli apart for a much-needed 3-0 victory.
The Rossoneri have been coming off a , however back-to-back disappointing Serie A stalemates with Cagliari and Juventus, so . Morata returned after suspension with Rafael Leao, however Luka Jovic, Ismael Bennacer and Alessandro Florenzi have been long-term absentees. The Tuscans have been unbeaten in three, however Nicolas Haas, Mattia De Sciglio, Alberto Grassi, Saba Sazonov, Jacopo Fazzini, Tyronne Ebuehi and Szymon Zurkowski have been injured.
Youssef Maleh charged down an early Emerson Royal volley together with his face after the Rafael Leao run, whereas Milan-owned goalkeeper Devis Vasquez acquired down for a decisive fingertip save to push Morata’s angled drive previous the far submit.
Reijnders additionally noticed his strike deflected extensive by Liam Henderson, however Milan broke the impasse when Rafael Leao noticed his effort charged down within the field, it ricocheted into the trail of Morata to pounce on the half-volley from 9 yards.
Pulisic fired over the bar after robbing Mattia Viti, when he had higher choices to arrange, however they doubled their benefit on the stroke of half-time.
Pulisic nodded down a cross from the precise, Reijnders let it bounce and wrapped his proper foot round it on the half-volley to smash into the far backside nook from 14 yards.
Maleh threatened to get Empoli again into it after the restart, hitting a scorcher from exterior the world that rattled the crossbar past Mike Maignan’s glove.
Nevertheless, Reijnders accomplished his brace with a beautiful solo effort, beginning the run from midfield and profiting from Rafael Leao’s run to attract away a defender, drilling the end by way of Ardian Ismajli’s legs into the close to backside nook.
Francesco Camarda threatened to attain a unprecedented aim together with his overhead kick turning Emerson Royal’s cross not far extensive of the highest nook from 12 yards.
Tammy Abraham additionally got here sliding in on the again submit, prodding the Samuel Chukwueze cross extensive from point-blank vary.
Milan 3-0 Empoli
Morata 19 (M), Reijnders 44, 69 (M)
