Santiago Gimenez scored his first AC Milan goal as the Rossoneri overcame Empoli 2-0 at Stadio Carlo Castellani.
Rafael Leao was also on target for Sergio Conceicao’s side, who struck twice in the final quarter of the contest to maintain the pressure on the top four in Serie A.
Following a low-key first half, both sides were reduced to 10 men after the break.
Fikayo Tomori was shown a second yellow card in the 55th minute while, 10 minutes later, Luca Marianucci received a straight red card following a VAR review after kicking out at Gimenez.
Conceicao had introduced Leao, Gimenez and Christian Pulisic at half-time in a bid to generate a spark from Milan.
Two of them were involved as they took the lead in the 68th minute with Leao powering home a header from Pulisic’s cross.
The USA international provided another assist eight minutes later by teeing up Gimenez, whose lovely curling effort moved the Rossoneri back to within five points of fourth-place Juventus.
1 – Santiago Giménez became the first Mexican player to score for #ACMilan in #SerieA history, the third overall in the top-flight after Johan Vásquez and Hirving Lozano. Bebote.#EmpoliMilan pic.twitter.com/PCC3aUih0g
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) February 8, 2025
Data Debrief: Gimenez seals victory with historic strike
Gimenez, who arrived from Feyenood earlier this week, became the first Mexican player to score for Milan in Serie A, and the third in the division overall after Johan Vasquez and Hirving Lozano.
The Rossoneri have now kept five straight clean sheets against Empoli; their joint-longest streak against a single opponent in Serie A (also five against Pisa between 1988 and 1991).
Meanwhile, Empoli are now without a win in nine matches and remain a point above the relegation zone.
Although, they did make history by fielding seven Italian players in their starting line-up for the first time in Serie A.
