Matchday one of the 2015/2016 Serie A season was a good one for some of the 20 teams in the top flight, but for others, not so much. AC Milan, after two bad seasons that have seen them miss out on European football, will now again only have domestic competitions to focus on as they hope to make it into the top five at the end of the season. However, despite making some big modifications during this summer's transfer market, the Rossoneri were unable to find a way past Fiorentina, who handidly defeated them 2-0.
Certainly, it was not the way that new coach Sinisa Mihajlovic would have envisioned his debut since being appointed this summer. And after that nightmare first game, in which the Diavolo had to play with ten men following Rodrigo Ely's dismissal, he will already be feeling the pressure from demanding President Silvio Berlusconi and fans to earn their first win of the season on their home turf. Over the course of the past few months, the usually-frugal Milan have taken advantage of outside investment to splash the cash, bringing in players like Luiz Adriano and Carlos Bacca to assist Jeremy Menez in the goal-scoring duties and shipping out the likes of Giampaolo Pazzini and Mattia Destro.
One acquisition, however, that has supporters really talking is the return of Mario Balotelli on loan from Liverpool. Throughout the summer, the club had been aggressively pursuing another former striker - Zlatan Ibrahimovic - but were unable to get cash-rich PSG to part with the Swedish superstar. Certainly, Balotelli's return has already stirred up some controversy; however, whilst with the squad he netted 30 goals in 54 appearances across all competitions, which is something that certainly can not be ignored.
The 25-year-old will be available to Mihajlovic for tonight's clash with Empoli. However, the Serbian tactician is more likely to stick with the Bacca-Adriano pairing, so Super Mario, should he feature, will probably be doing so from the bench. Meanwhile, their opponents will also be coming into this match having lost their first game against Chievo. They, too, have also undergone some changes this summer, both on the coach's bench as well as in terms of personnel.
Maurizio Sarri, who was instrumental in guiding them to saftey last season, departed for the Partenopei in June, and took key players Mirko Valdifiori and Elseid Hysaj along with him to Napoli. New coach Marco Giampaolo's first game did not go well, as the Azzurri were embarrassed in the Coppa Italia by being defeated by Serie B side Vicenza, and things got worse in their season opener as they were overpowered by Chievo in a 3-1 loss.
Having lost their last three games in all competitions, Empoli - and in particular ex-Milan midfielder Riccardo Saponara, who scored the team's sole goal against the Flying Donkeys - will also be keen on earning their first three points as they again begin the battle to remain in the top flight.
Key stats for AC Milan vs. Empoli
- Today's meeting will be the 21st between the Rossoneri and the Azzurri.
- Milan hold the advantage, with 12 wins compared to Empoli's two.
- However, both of Empoli's 1-0 wins took place at the San Siro in April 2003 and October 2007.
- Overall, Milan have a good record against their opponents, with just two losses in their last 16 meetings.
- In both games last season, neither side was able to find a breakthrough and hence had to settle for a draw.
- Also, neither of those matches finished with all 22 men on the pitch.
- Empoli generally have struggled offensively against Milan, and the only time they were able to score more than just one goal was during last season's 2-2 draw.
- Empoli have failed to win 12 out of their last 13 away matches in Serie A.
With both Milan and Empoli having gotten off to bad starts, each will be desperate to push for a win. Will the Rossoneri get back on track at the San Siro? Or will the Azzurri frustrate them yet again?
Serie A followers will not want to miss out on this one. For viewing information for your specific location, feel free to check our special Milan vs. Empoli page here at LiveSoccerTV.com.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Follow the game on-the-go
Download our iOS and Android apps to follow soccer on-the-go. It comes packed with features - live scores, fixtures, results, tables, line-ups, stats, TV schedule and much more! Sorry, no live streaming within the app.
