As AC Milan prepares to face Torino this Saturday evening, the stakes are high for the Rossoneri. Following a challenging loss to Lazio, the team is aiming to secure second place in Serie A and push their title ambitions aside. Currently, Milan is in a tight race for the runners-up position with Napoli, as Inter Milan looks poised to win the championship.
Match Preview: AC Milan vs Torino
AC Milan’s recent performance has raised concerns. After a promising moment when they reduced the gap between themselves and Inter Milan to seven points, a setback at Stadio Olimpico resulted in a 1-0 defeat against Lazio. This match marked Milan’s first away loss of the Serie A season, prompting worries about their Champions League qualification.
Previously, Milan had a remarkable 24-match unbeaten streak in the league, but they have now faced two defeats in their last four matches. It’s crucial for them to avoid consecutive losses for the first time in a year as they clash with Torino.
Historical Context
Historically, AC Milan has dominated Torino, particularly at the San Siro. The last time Torino triumphed over Milan at this venue was in 1985, marking an unsuccessful streak of 29 attempts since then, where Torino has lost 20 matches.
In their last encounter in December, Torino had a two-goal lead but ultimately fell to a 3-2 defeat against Milan. The Granata have struggled throughout this season, currently holding the second-worst defensive record in Serie A, having won only one point in their last five away games.
Torino’s Recent Developments
Despite these struggles, there is some optimism for Torino under their interim coach Roberto D’Aversa. After a 4-1 victory against Parma, they have gathered six points from three matches. However, improving their away performance remains a significant challenge as they conceded 15 goals in their last five away fixtures.
Team News
For AC Milan, several players are sidelined, including Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Matteo Gabbia. Santiago Gimenez’s participation is doubtful after a four-month absence, while Rafael Leao is the primary absentee for this match. On the positive side, midfielder Adrien Rabiot returns to the lineup after a suspension, and he is expected to join Luka Modric in midfield.
With Leao out, Milan will look to three potential options for the attack: Christopher Nkunku, Niclas Fullkrug, and Christian Pulisic, the latter having previously scored twice against Torino. Torino’s captain, Duvan Zapata, is in form, having scored in the reverse fixture and against Parma recently.
Possible Lineups
| AC Milan | Torino |
|---|---|
| Maignan | Paleari |
| Tomori | Coco |
| De Winter | Ismajli |
| Pavlovic | Ebosse |
| Saelemaekers | Pedersen |
| Fofana | Gineitis |
| Modric | Ilkhan |
| Rabiot | Vlasic |
| Bartesaghi | Obrador |
| Pulisic | Adams |
| Fullkrug | Simeone |
Match Prediction
El-Balad predicts a close encounter, favoring AC Milan to win 1-0 against Torino. Despite recent stumbles, Milan’s home advantage against a struggling Torino could prove decisive. Torino has won just three away games this season, coupled with their defensive vulnerabilities, making a Milan victory likely.
