Empoli drew 2-2 with AC Milan on Tuesday evening at the Carlo Castellani in what was a thrilling encounter.
The Rossoneri were dealt with brutally in the first half as Lorenzo Tonelli scoring from a corner, followed by a well-worked free kick resulting in Manuel Pucciarelli.
Milan leveled the score just before half time through Fernando Torres with a wonderful looping header. The hosts finished the game with ten men when Mirko Valdifiori received two yellow cards in quick succession.
Milan stay in third for now but Empoli continue to languish at the bottom of the Serie A table.
Agree with our ratings? Have your say in the comments below.
Empoli
Luigi Sepe – 6.5 – Faultless
The Napoli loanee had little to do in the first half, completely beaten for Torres’ expert header and couldn’t reach Honda’s equaliser.
Vincent Laurini – 6.5 – Bread-winner
Looked happy to absorb the threat from De Sciglio. Worked very hard up and down the wing. Went off injured for Hysaj.
Lorenzo Tonelli – 7 – Solid
Stunned the away side with a goal from the corner, looked decent at the back but went missing for Torres’ goal.
Daniele Rugani – 6 – Absent
Seemed timid and was at fault for Milan’s equaliser.
Mario Rui – 6.5 – Workaholic
Worked tirelessly to expose the Milan defense. Struggled to keep pace with Ignazio Abate for much of the game.
Matias Vecino – 6 – Tenacious
Caused Abbiati all sorts of problems in goal. Could have easily scored in the first half had his shot being struck better.
Mirko Valdifiori – 6 – Poor
Swung in his corner to find Lorenzo Tonelli for the opening goal. Booked for a poor challenge on Menez late on and then again for a foul seconds later on de Jong, receiving his marching orders.
Daniele Croce – 6.5 – Wily
Showed good experience to move the ball around quickly and retrieve the loose ball.
Simone Verdi – 6.5 – Weaver
Looked very dangerous running at the defenders, beat Bonera for pace on more than one occasion. Good peformance against his former club.
Francesco Tavano – 6.5 – Good
Exquisite flick to allow Manuel Pucciarelli to score. Missed an easy chance early in the second half. Replaced by Maccarone.
Manuel Pucciarelli – 6.5 – Decent
Took his goal very comfortably but disappeared for the remainder of the game. Replaced by Zielenski
Substitutes
Massimo Maccarone – 6 – Average
Couldn’t influence another goal in the second half
Elseid Hysaj – 6 – Stout
Joined a wall of Empoli players trying to keep the Rossoneri out.
Piotr Zielenski – 6 – N/A
Came on too late to influence proceedings.
AC Milan
Christian Abbiati – 6 – Bystander
Couldn’t be blamed for the first goal but may have done better with the second. Had precious little to do all night.
Ignazio Abate – 7 – Creator
Credit for creating both goals. Floating the ball in for Fernando Torres to score and fed the ball to Honda’s feet.
Cristian Zapata – 5 – Woeful
Clumsy with his challenges and failed to communicate with those around him effectively. Picked up a booking for a very late tackle.
Daniele Bonera – 4.5 – Abysmal
Seemed completely out of his depth for the entire match. Missing for both goals and looked to have handled the ball in the penalty area before half time.
Mattia De Sciglio – 6 – Average
Looked bright bombing up the left wing but couldn’t deliver the final ball. Looked suspect defensively, was booked at the start of the second half.
Nigel de Jong – 6 – Wasted
Did his job to standard but may have needed to give more to support Milan’s struggling defenders. Partially at fault for the second goal.
Sulley Muntari – 5 – Lumberjack
Rash challenges and lacklustre passing, icked up a senseless booking in the first half and was replaced by Andrea Poli.
Marco van Ginkel – 6 – N/A
Lasted just under half an hour before being replaced by Giacomo Bonaventura through injury.
Keisuke Honda – 7.5 – Clinical
Scored the vital equaliser. Moved the ball onto his left foot on the edge of the area and slotted it clinically.
Fernando Torres – 8 – Resurgent
After a quiet 40 minutes on his first start for the club, the Spaniard latched onto the end of Ignazio Abate’s cross to loop his header past Sepe. Showed some excellent ball control, strength and desire to lift the Rossoneri.
Jeremy Menez – 6.5 – Unlucky
Worked very hard to keep Milan in the game. Saw his shot cannon off the post.
Substitutes
Giacomo Bonaventura – 6 – Promising
Skied a rebounded shot but showed signs of why he was signed in the transfer window. Added pace and a invention.
Andrea Poli – 6.5 – Commanding
Calmed down the game and showed great touch and composure on the ball.
Giampaolo Pazzini – N/A
Came on late but couldn’t help take the lead.
Follow Louis Gibberd-Thomas on Twitter: @mercutio156
