AC Milan dominates Empoli to close in on European qualification

On November 29, 2024, AC Milan faced Empoli at the San Siro in Milan, Italy, where they achieved a convincing 3-0 victory. This match was crucial as it helped Milan narrow the gap to just three points from Serie A's European qualifying spots. Alvaro Morata opened the scoring for Milan in the 19th minute, marking his first league goal in over two months. Additionally, Tijjani Reijnders played a significant role by scoring two goals, one just before half-time and another that solidified the team's lead, boosting his total goals for the season to six. The win provided a much-needed morale boost for Milan, particularly after their earlier disappointing goalless draw with Juventus the previous week. Despite starting the match with the league's fourth-best defense, Empoli struggled to contain Milan's attacking play. The victory allowed AC Milan to maintain their position in the league but brought them tantalizingly close to Juventus, who occupy the Conference League position one place above them. The dynamic of the match was made more challenging by the foggy conditions at the San Siro, causing issues with visibility for both players and fans. Nevertheless, around 68,000 supporters braved the elements to cheer on their team, reflecting the high expectations and passionate support that accompany AC Milan. Looking at the Serie A standings, the victory is particularly significant as it offers AC Milan a legitimate chance to improve their league position as they aim for European football next season. Meanwhile, Empoli remained in 10th place following this defeat, failing to score against Milan for the fifth consecutive match at the San Siro. The outcomes of the matches played by other teams in the league will remain crucial in determining Milan's prospects for the rest of the season, especially as they face Juventus' upcoming match against Lecce, a team struggling at the bottom of the table, just a day later. Overall, the match served not only as a vital three points for AC Milan but also highlighted the competitive nature of Serie A. With December around the corner, the stakes are about to rise as teams prepare for the crucial final stretch of the season, aiming for favorable placements that could secure European competition for the following year. AC Milan's performance against Empoli sets the right tone as they continue their pursuit of success in both the domestic league and potential European competitions.