Projected Line-up: How Milan Could Shape Up Against Empoli | OneFootball

There’s a new energy at the San Siro after Milan completed several high-profile winter signings to back new manager Sergio Conceicao. Now buoyed by a 3-1 thumping of Roma in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals, last season’s Serie A runners-up head to Stadio Carlo Castellani to meet Empoli.

Joao Felix enjoyed a dream debut for the Rossoneri, scoring off the bench to seal a commanding cup win against Claudio Ranieri’s side. Santiago Gimenez, who joined from Feyenoord in a high-profile transfer, provided an assist after coming on as a late second-half substitute.

Milan put Roma to the sword to inch closer to winning their first Coppa Italia title since 2002/03. However, things aren’t looking pretty in Serie A. Indeed, Conceicao’s charges languish in eighth in the Serie A standings, trailing fourth-placed Lazio by seven points.

With a game in hand, Milan still have a realistic chance to haul back that deficit. Yet, the seven-time Champions League winners must launch a substantial winning streak to achieve that feat. Indeed, a lack of consistency has been their Achilles’ heel this season.

Season of Setbacks

Milan’s last three Serie A outings perhaps best illustrate the depth of the problem at the San Siro. Conceicao’s men have won only once, claiming one point from the other two. Stefan de Vrij’s late equalizer held Milan to a 1-1 draw in last weekend’s Derby della Madonnina, denying them a third consecutive win against Inter this season.

More importantly, it was their fifth winless league fixture in the last eight (W3, D4, L1), underscoring the inconsistency that has severely plagued Milan’s campaign. Therefore, the Rossoneri can’t afford a slip-up in Tuscany, with an unwanted piece of club history looking over the visitors’ heads.

After back-to-back away defeats to Juventus and Dinamo Zagreb, Milan are staring down the barrel of three consecutive losses on the road for the first time since 2015. However, there’s a silver lining.

Favorable Match-Up

Despite Milan’s well-documented struggles outside the San Siro, they can draw heart from their recent performances at the Castellani. A 3-0 demolition of Empoli on this ground in this corresponding fixture last term forms part of Milan’s run of four successive clean sheets in this match-up.

Another shutout would see the Rossoneri equal their all-time record achieved against Pisa between 1988 and 1991. That could prove easier said than done, considering they’ve only avoided conceding twice on the road this season, all competitions included.

For further context, both clean sheets came against Serie A relegation-fighting teams Hellas Verona and Monza. But with Empoli belonging to this unenviable group of clubs, the Milan faithful will expect Conceicao’s side to rediscover their defensive solidity on Saturday.

How Could Milan Line Up?

Kyle Walker was outstanding on his Milan debut against Inter and didn’t slow down against Roma. With him and Theo Hernandez, Conceicao might have the best pair of full-backs in Serie A. Fikayo Tomori has flourished next to Walker, and the same goes for Strahinja Pavlovic.

Felix’s arrival could see Tijjani Reijnders drop to the double pivot alongside Youssouf Fofana. Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic should start on the wings, with the Chelsea loanee acting as an attacking midfielder behind Gimenez.