Half-Time Report: AC Milan lead Empoli against the run of play

Mattia Destro's first goal for AC Milan has given the Rossoneri a 1-0 half-time advantage against Empoli in Serie A this afternoon.

Maurizio Sarri's dominated the opening 45 minutes at the San Siro only for debutant Destro to strike five minutes before the break.

Manuel Pucciarelli came close to opening the scoring just a couple of minutes into the tie when Mirko Valdifiori crossed the ball in for the Empoli striker, but he could only fire his shot wide.

The visitors continued to look the more likely early on as Piotr Zielinski unleashed a powerful shot from just outside the box, but Diego Lopez watched it all the way.

The hosts started to see more of the ball after the opening quarter of an hour, but Giacomo Bonaventura could not force Luigi Sepe into action.

The two clearest openings of the first half then both fell to Empoli's Portuguese full-back Mario Rui, who first aimed an audacious lob from the halfway line over Lopez, only to see his effort strike the crossbar.

Rui then nearly caught Lopez out at his near post with a swerving shot, before Destro popped up to tap home Bonaventura's cross from close range.