Anteprima: AC Milan Women vs Empoli Women

[Yakko voice] It’s that time again!

And what time is that? Is it time to search for Elvis at a few 7-11s?

Nope! It’s time for the AC Milan Women to play another game

And while the men might be playing a game on Sunday, it’s important to note that the Rossonere will be playing as well.

The AC Milan Women will take on Empoli at 13:30 CET on Matchday Eight.

Here’s an overview of what you need to know about the encounter.

The Background

Milan and Empoli have met six times in Serie A Femminile. The first encounter was in December of 2018. The match ended in a 4-2 win for the Tuscans.

Empoli have won three out of six of those matches. Milan managed to finally get the better of them in October of 2020 and the match ended in a 3-0 win for the Rossonere. The last time they met was in March of this year, and Milan won the game by a solitary goal.

The Formations

Empoli usually plays in either a 4-5-1, a 4-2-2-2, or a 4-1-4-1 formation. The one consistent element to their tactical variance is the fact that they usually play with four at the back.

Milan have varied between deploying a 3-5-2 or a 3-4-1-2 formation. The team had to revert to the former formation during their last match, as a few of their players were missing against Fiorentina.

They lined up against La Viola without the likes of Vero, Jane, Sara Thrige, and Giacinti. If Milan gets Giacinti and Vero back, then they’ll most likely deploy a 3-4-1-2 formation.

Jane is still out due to a problem with her right ankle, as per sources on Twitter. As a result of this, Christy Grimshaw will most likely take her place in the lineup.

The Stats

Milan and Empoli have had two contrasting campaigns. Milan have won five games, tied one, and lost one.

Empoli have only won two games while tying one, and losing four. The Rossonere have scored 16 goals so far this season, while Empoli have also scored eight. Milan are also much better at moving the ball, as they have completed 421 passes compared to the Tuscans completing 329.

Milan have a pass accuracy rate of 82%, while Empoli have a 78% successful pass rate.

What can be drawn from these stats is that Rossonere are a better team than Empoli. And even without the use of stats, it’s not hard to see that Milan are a better team and that they should be able to win this game.

InStat

The Players to Watch Out For

The Tuscans have proven to be tough opposition for Milan in the past, and they have the players to hurt them. Among their standout players are Chanté-Mary Dompig (forward), Cecilia Prugna (captain, forward), Asia Bragonzi (forward), Melissa Bellucci (defensive midfielder), and Sara Tamborini (forward).

Bragonzi and Bellucci are on loan from Juventus and have brought Juve’s winning mentality with them to the pitch. Dompig and Prugna have caused the Rossonere many problems in the past, and the latter scored the game-winner against Milan in 2019.

Tamborini is currently on loan from Milan to the team. The Rossonere will have to work hard and diligently to not only contain their own player but to neutralize the opposition as well.

Milan’s defense, however, is arguably the best in the league. They’ve only conceded two goals so far this season and have proven adept at keeping the opposition away from their penalty area.

They will be more than ready for this challenge.

How to watch

If you live in Italy, you can watch the match on Milan TV and on TimVision. For everyone else, check your local listings.

In Indonesia, the match will be on Mola TV. In Brazil, it will be on Star Plus.

You’ll also be able to watch the match on the Dailymotion page a few hours after it has ended.