In the wee hours of Sunday (9/2/2025) morning, history was made on the turf at the Carlo Castellani Stadium in Empoli as Santiago Gimenez, the talented Mexican forward, etched his name in the annals of Serie A football with a stellar debut for AC Milan. The Rossoneri’s decision to invest a substantial 35 million Euros in acquiring him from Feyenoord seemed justified as Gimenez showcased his prowess, proving his worth on the pitch.
Gimenez’s journey with Milan began just three days prior in a Coppa Italia clash, where he provided an assist for Joao Felix in a resounding 3-1 victory over AS Roma. The momentum from that debut carried into the Serie A match against Empoli, where Rafael Leao opened the scoring in the 68th minute, setting the stage for Gimenez to double Milan’s lead with a goal in the 76th minute.
This impressive 2-0 win marked Milan’s 10th triumph of the season, propelling them to seventh place in the league standings with 38 points. On the other side of the pitch, Empoli found themselves stagnating in 17th place with 21 points, highlighting the stark contrast in fortunes on display that night.
Early Dominance and Tactical Shifts
From the opening whistle, Joao Felix spearheaded Milan’s attacking onslaught, showcasing his skill with a deft heel pass that led to Tammy Abraham being brought down in Empoli’s penalty box by Giuseppe Pezzella. Despite the clear contact, the referee remained unmoved, denying Milan an early chance to take the lead.
Empoli, undeterred, launched their own offensive with Alberto Grassi testing Kyle Walker with a shot that was deftly blocked. Lorenzo Colombo came agonizingly close to putting Empoli ahead, only to see his left-footed strike ricochet off the goal post, marking a missed opportunity in the first half.
Sergio Conceicao, Milan’s coach, sensing the need for a tactical shift, made three substitutions at the start of the second half, introducing Leao, Christian Pulisic, and granting Gimenez his debut. The impact of these changes was immediate as Leao received a pass from Joao Felix, setting up Gimenez for a chance that was thwarted by Empoli’s defense.
However, Milan’s plans were momentarily derailed when Fikayo Tomori received a second yellow card in the 55th minute, reducing them to 10 men on the field. Yet, Empoli’s numerical advantage was short-lived, as Luca Marianucci’s aggressive reaction towards Gimenez warranted his expulsion as well, leveling the playing field once more.
Sealing the Victory
With both teams back on equal footing, the tension mounted as Pulisic orchestrated a brilliant move on the left flank, delivering a cross that Leao expertly headed into Empoli’s net, breaking the deadlock and putting Milan ahead 1-0. The momentum continued to swing in Milan’s favor as Pulisic, following a long ball from goalkeeper Mike Maignan, found Gimenez in a prime position to score. The Mexican forward’s left-footed strike curled away from Devis Vasquez’s reach, sealing Milan’s victory with a 2-0 scoreline.
As the final whistle blew, Milan emerged victorious, solidifying their position in the league standings and showcasing the potential of their new acquisition, Santiago Gimenez. The young forward’s impact was felt not only through his goal but also through his seamless integration into Milan’s attacking lineup, boding well for the Rossoneri’s future ambitions.
Amidst the jubilant celebrations and post-match analysis, one thing remained clear – Santiago Gimenez’s debut was more than just a goal; it was a statement of intent, a promise of greater things to come for AC Milan in the Serie A season. And as the fans cheered and the players embraced, the echoes of that historic night reverberated throughout the footballing world, signaling a new chapter in Milan’s storied legacy.
