AC Milan vs Empoli preview - Milan stand by Inzaghi

AC Milan are standing firmly behind embattled coach Filippo Inzaghi ahead of Sunday's home game against Empoli.

The Rossoneri have endured a difficult season, with the latest setback at Juventus last weekend.

The 3-1 defeat was Milan's third loss in their last four league games.

Milan have won just one of their last seven league games and are 11th in the standings, 13 points adrift of third-place Napoli.

There has been media speculation that Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella is being lined up to replace Inzaghi but Milan club administrator Adriano Galliani says it is not true.

"With Pippo (Inzaghi) we have analysed the situation of the team," Galliani told his club's official website. "Against Juve, we saw a determined Milan and that performance satisfied our president (Silvio) Berlusconi.

"Despite having to do without numerous players through injury, the team tried to impose its play.

"No one is happy to lose but we saw a good Milan and the team didn't play badly.

"We cannot forget we were facing the Serie A leaders away from home and without a host of injured players.

"Now we need to keep working. We are all rowing in the same direction."

Inzaghi replaced Clarence Seedorf at AC Milan last June when the Dutchman was fired.

He is under contract with the Rossoneri until July 2016.

Milan are without eight injured players this weekend, and French defender Philippe Mexes is suspended.

Empoli halted a nine-game winless run with a 2-0 home triumph over Cesena last time out.

The Tuscan outfit had not won in the league since November 23 but goals from Massimo Maccarone and Franco Signorelli handed them their fourth win of the campaign.

Maurizio Sarri's men also kept a clean sheet for the sixth time this season.

"We are happy for the compliments we have received but we have to continue to work hard," Empoli winger Simone Verdi said. "We know we will need to sweat in order to defend our Serie A status."

Empoli are 15th in the standings, four points clear of the drop zone.