A sickening challenge on Kyle Walker went unpunished – but there was no escape for Fikayo Tomori in AC Milan’s 2-0 win over Empoli.
Walker lined up next to Tomori in Milan’s backline as the former Manchester City right-back made his third start for the Rossoneri.
GettyWalker has made a solid start to life as an AC Milan player[/caption]
Milan went into the clash with hopes of extending their unbeaten run to a third match following a draw with bitter rivals Inter Milan and a 3-1 win over Roma in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.
But Empoli, who went into the fixture sitting 17th in Serie A, would not roll over for their glamorous opposition.
One Empoli star decided he would leave a mark on Walker, although replays quickly showed he was incredibly fortunate not to have received a red card as he escaped punishment altogether.
New Zealand international Liberato Cacace and Walker competed for a loose ball, which the Milan defender managed to reach first.
In his efforts to win the ball Cacace lunged in, only for his studs to connect with Walker’s ankle.
The challenge left Walker writhing on the turf in pain.
Cacace’s challenge was checked by VAR, but they decided the incident did not warrant an on-field review from the referee.
The lack of punishment for Cacace left several fans on social media bemused.
One wrote on X: “Liberato Cacace was very lucky not to be red carded for this challenge on Kyle Walker.”
Another posted: “Not even a yellow for Cacace after a brutal tackle against Walker.”
Serie AVAR opted not to review this challenge from Cacace on Walker[/caption]
Although Cacace was fortunate to have remained on the pitch, the same could not be said for Tomori.
The 27-year-old picked up a yellow card in the 36th minute when he caught Sebastiano Esposito from behind.
Tomori was then sent for an early shower just ten minutes into the second half after he brought down Lorenzo Colombo, who is on loan at Empoli from Milan.
The Englishman was shown a second yellow card for the foul, meaning the incident could not be reviewed by VAR.
Luckily for Milan, Empoli were reduced to ten men not long after Luca Marianucci was shown a straight red card for a foul on Santiago Gimenez.
With both teams back on a level playing field, Milan’s class shone through as they found the breakthrough just three minutes after Marianucci’s departure via Rafael Leao.
RexTomori was sent off for the first time this season[/caption]
GettyHe was fuming after receiving his marching orders in the second half[/caption]
Milan doubled their advantage in the 76th minute through Gimenez, with Christian Pulisic providing the assists for both.
The 2-0 result ensured Walker is yet to taste defeat since joining Milan from City in the January window.
With the win, Milan sit seventh on the table on 38 points, just four shy of sixth-placed Lazio and five away from Juventus, who occupy the last Champions League place in Serie A.