Serie A: Giroud and AC Milan start the year with easy success against Empoli

AC Milan, looking for redemption after a mixed first part of the season, won at Empoli 3-0 on Sunday during the 19th day of the Italian Championship.

Milan took the lead in the 11th minute thanks to Ruben Loftus-Cheek, perfectly served in the area by Rafael Leao.

Under the eyes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in his new role as sports advisor to the owner of AC Milan, Olivier Giroud doubled the lead with his ninth goal of the season from the penalty spot (31st) after a handball in the penalty area from a Empoli player.

The French international had not scored in the league since November 11 (2-2 at Lecce) and joined Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo) in 2nd place in the scorers' ranking, far from Inter captain Lautaro Martinez. (16).

Already a scorer in the Italian Cup this week, Chaka Traoré, who entered shortly before, added a third goal, his first in Serie A at 19, after a counter from Christian Pulisic (88th).

AC Milan, beaten last month by Atalanta (3-2) and held in check by the red lantern, Salernitana (2-2), consolidated its 3rd place to come back to four points behind Juventus, 2nd , who faces Salernitana on Sunday evening.

The only annoyance for Stefano Pioli, the Milan coach who has been widely criticized since the elimination from the Champions League, was the injury exit of Alessandro Florenzi.

Empoli, who have not won since November 12 (1-0 in Naples), remain stuck among the relegated (19th) with 13 points.