On Sunday, AC Milan beat lowly Empoli 3-0 to solidify their position in Serie A’s Champions League spots.
In the first half, Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored a magnificent goal, and third-placed Milan went on to win thanks to a penalty kick by Olivier Giroud in the 31st minute. Chaka Traore scored the game-winning goal with two minutes left.
Milan, who were without many key players due to injuries and the Africa Cup of Nations, capitalized on their nearest competitors’ slip-ups.
The squad managed by Stefano Pioli now has six points, one more than fourth-place Fiorentina after their 1-0 loss to Sassuolo on Saturday and one point more than fifth-place Bologna after their 1-1 draw with Genoa.
They are four points behind second-place Juventus, who face Salernitana later on Sunday, and nine points behind Inter Milan, the league leaders and city rivals.
With Aurelio Andreazzoli’s squad playing without seven first-team members and losing to Milan, Empoli remain in second-to-last place after failing to win in seven consecutive matches.