Ac Milan secures victory over Empoli with goals from Leao and Gimenez, under the guidance of manager Conceicao
In a tense match played at Stadio Carlo Castellani, AC Milan emerged victorious against Empoli, securing a crucial 2-0 win. The win moved Milan closer to fourth-place Juventus in the Serie A standings.
The game saw both teams reduced to 10 men after the break, with Empoli's Luca Marianucci receiving a straight red card following a VAR review in the 66th minute. The turning point of the match came shortly after, in the 68th minute, when Rafael Leao scored from a cross by Christian Pulisic, giving AC Milan the lead.
The lead was extended in the second half when Santiago Giménez, who was introduced at half-time by manager Stefano Conceicao, scored his first goal for AC Milan. Giménez's goal not only secured the win for Milan but also made him the first Mexican player to score for the club in Serie A.
Empoli, who have lost nine consecutive matches and remain just above the relegation zone, made history by fielding seven Italian players in their starting line-up for the first time in Serie A. However, they were unable to mount a comeback against the resilient Milan defence, which has kept five consecutive clean sheets against Empoli, their joint-longest streak against a single opponent in Serie A.
Gimenez joins a select group of Mexican players who have scored for AC Milan in Serie A, with Johan Vasquez and Hirving Lozano being the other two. However, based on the available data, Giménez is the only confirmed Mexican player to have scored for AC Milan in Serie A as of 2025.
This victory marks a significant step for AC Milan as they continue their push for a top-four finish in the Serie A. The team will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming matches.
The victory against Empoli propelled AC Milan closer towards European-league qualification, as they narrowed the gap with fourth-place Juventus in Serie A. Santiago Giménez's goal, scored after being introduced at half-time, was his debut goal for the club in Serie A football.
