AC Milan won 2-0 at Empoli on Saturday thanks to second half goals from Rafael Leao and Santiago Gimenez in a Serie A clash that ended with both sides down to 10 men.
After a slow first half, Milan coach Sergio Conceicao sought to spark some life into his attack with the introduction of Gimenez, Leao and Christian Pulisic, and his decision paid off, as the three substitutes were key in getting all three points.
The visitor was to 10 men after Fikayo Tomori received a second yellow card in the 55th minute.
But the disadvantage was short-lived as Empoli’s Luca Marianucci was shown a straight red card following a VAR review for kicking out at Gimenez 10 minutes later.
Leao then opened the scoring in the 68th minute with a towering header off a Pulisic cross and Milan’s new signing Gimenez doubled the advantage with a superb curling effort 14 minutes from time.
READ MORE | La Liga 2024-25: Atletico’s Simeone laments missed chances in derby draw with Real Madrid
Milan, which sits seventh in the Serie A with 38 points, next plays at Feyenoord in the Champions League knockout playoffs on Wednesday.
Retegui hits four
Mateo Retegui scored four goals to lead Atalanta’s 5-0 demolition of Hellas Verona.
The Italian forward took his league-leading tally to 20 goals for the season after scoring a first-half hat trick before adding his fourth after the break. The second-leading scorer is Fiorentina’s Moise Kean with 15 goals.
Retegui found the net in the 21st, 25th, 44th and 56th minutes. Ederson made it 3-0 in the 37th.
The lopsided win lifted Atalanta to within one point of Inter Milan in second. Leader Napoli is four points ahead of third-placed Atalanta.
(With inputs from AP)
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com