Serie A | Empoli 0-2 Milan: Gimenez goal on chaotic Serie A debut | OneFootball

Despite some controversial refereeing decisions that saw both teams reduced to 10 men, Rafael Leao and Serie A debutant Santiago Gimenez gave Milan all three points in Empoli.

The Rossoneri had already given deadline day signings their debuts in the 3-1 Coppa Italia quarter-final win over Roma, but Joao Felix got his first start in a 4-4-2 formation. Rafael Leao had an ankle knock and Christian Pulisic was rested ahead of the Champions League play-off with Feyenoord, as Warren Bondo, Emerson Royal, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Alessandro Florenzi were injured. The hosts had two points from the last eight games, as Youssouf Maleh was suspended with Tino Anjorin, Ardian Ismajli, Jacopo Fazzini, Ola Solbakken, Nicolas Haas, Tyronne Ebuehi, Saba Sazonov and Pietro Pellegri out. At least Alberto Grassi and Giuseppe Pezzella returned from bans.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Within 69 seconds, a Joao Felix back-heel flick had sparked a move where Tammy Abraham went down under pressure from Pezzella, but not enough to warrant a penalty.

Liberato Cacace ran a huge risk when catching Kyle Walker studs-up on the side of the shin, but the England international’s leg was low enough to save him from VAR’s red card call.

Another Joao Felix back-heel flick was ill-advised, allowing Grassi to get a shot away from the edge of the area, charged down by Walker, then the Chelsea-owned starlet was booked for simulation before drilling wide.

Mattia Viti was very unlucky, as when he was at full stretch to cut off Alex Jimenez, the collision pushed his left knee back badly and he had to be carried off in agony.

Lorenzo Colombo, who grew up in the Milan youth academy, almost put Empoli in front on 33 minutes when his left-foot strike thumped the inside of the upright at the near top corner.

Sergio Conceicao was evidently unsatisfied with a triple change at half-time, introducing Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic and Serie A debutant Santiago Gimenez.

EMPOLI, ITALY – FEBRUARY 8: Rafael Leao of AC Milan celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Empoli and AC Milan at Stadio Carlo Castellani on February 8, 2025 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

They made an immediate impact, Leao’s shot charged down after good work from Joao Felix, then the winger’s roll across for a Gimenez tap-in crucially intercepted by Mattia De Sciglio.

There was more controversial refereeing on 55 minutes when Colombo was visibly offside as he went clear and was brought down by Tomori for a second yellow card. However, as it was a second bookable offence, VAR could not intervene to confirm the offside and the dismissal stood.

Rafael Leao had a couple of efforts charged down and Joao Felix flicked the resulting corner over the bar from a promising position with the outside of the boot.

The extra man did not last long, because 10 minutes later VAR did intervene to show that Luca Marianucci had reacted to a Gimenez push by looking behind him and kicking up his boot when standing up to catch the striker in the crotch. Gimenez was booked and Marianucci shown a straight red card.

Moments later, Milan opened the scoring with Pulisic standing up a cross to the back post for the Rafael Leao header, getting there before Joao Felix.

The Rossoneri got to celebrate the first goal from new signing Gimenez, as Mike Maignan’s long ball was knocked down and Pulisic laid it off for the Mexico international, who cut inside to bend a left-foot finish from 14 yards.

Joao Felix tried to replicate the goal he scored against Roma in the Coppa Italia midweek, but this time Devis Vasquez saw the lob coming and made the save one-on-one, while Ismael Konate’s angled drive skimmed the Milan upright from the edge of the box.

Empoli 0-2 Milan

Leao 68 (M), Gimenez 76 (M)

Sent off: Tomori 55 (M), Marianucci 65 (E)