Milan moved into second place in Serie A by finishing 2021 on a high against Empoli, while Napoli fell at home to Spezia.
With a 4-2 victory over Empoli, Milan climbed into second place in Serie A, capitalizing on a mistake by Napoli.
The Rossoneri had only lost one of their previous nine Serie A games with Empoli, and Franck Kessie’s double, sandwiched by Nedim Bajrami’s equalizer, set them on track to keep that streak going.
Despite Tiemoue Bakayoko’s valiant effort, Milan pulled away in the second half, with Alessandro Florenzi’s 62nd-minute free-kick and a fine Theo Hernandez strike securing the points, despite Andrea Pinamonti converting a late penalty after VAR ruled Tiemoue Bakayoko had handled in the area.
With Napoli beaten at home by Spezia, Milan head into a two-week break in second and four points behind arch rivals and defending champions Inter.
Kessie broke the deadlock in the 12th minute, meeting Olivier Giroud’s lay-off from Alexis Saelemaekers’ cross with a composed finish into the bottom-left corner.
But it was Kessie’s failure to clear from a corner that allowed Empoli to level matters six minutes later as Bajrami’s effort proved too hot for Mike Maignan to handle.
Maignan got a crucial fingertip to Pinamonti’s effort from a tight angle to turn it around the post.
And his intervention was rewarded further when Kessie restored Milan’s advantage by firing his near-post strike through the legs of Guglielmo Vicario three minutes before half-time.
Bajrami went agonisingly close to restoring parity three minutes after the restart as he cut onto his right foot only to see his curling effort rattle the crossbar with Maignan beaten.
Milan made the most of that reprieve, taking complete command through Florenzi, who bent a sublime free-kick into the bottom-left corner shortly after the hour mark.
Hernandez added a further flourish when he crashed home on the half-volley seven minutes later, Pinamonti’s penalty serving as little more than a consolation as Milan boosted their title hopes in the final game of the year.
What does it mean? – Milan stay stellar on the road
With an ultimately comfortable win, Milan became only the second team in Serie A history to claim 17 away victories in a calendar year.
They are in a strong position to challenge Inter for the Scudetto, while Empoli stay ninth in an impressive return to the top flight.
Kessie and Saelemaekers star
As well as his brace, Kessie also played two key passes in an influential display, a tally only bettered by creator in chief Saelemaekers (three).
Wayward Empoli pay price
Empoli were ultimately punished for a failure to take their chances. Twelve of their 16 shots came from inside the box but they registered just five efforts on target in a profligate performance.
Key Opta Facts
– No team has scored more goals away from home in 2021 in the top five European leagues than Milan (52, level with Manchester City).
– Kessie scored 14 Serie A goals in 2021: the last Milan midfielder to score as many in a single calendar year was Kaka in 2008 (15).
– Milan have scored four direct free-kick goals in Serie A this season: they hadn’t scored as many in a single league since the 2013-14 season (five).
– Milan have faced five penalties against this season, as many as in the entire 2020-21 Serie A season.
What’s next?
Serie A breaks for a fortnight, with Milan facing Jose Mourinho’s Roma on January 6 and Empoli visiting Lazio.
