AC MILAN OUT OF THE COPPA ITALIA
Coppa Italia
AC Milan have been eliminated from the Coppa Italia in the round of 16. This evening, in their first match in the competition, the Rossoneri fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Torino. It is a tough one to take, and there are plenty of regrets. On the hunt for a goal after a 0-0 draw in normal time, and against a Granata side who had been reduced to ten men midway through the second half, Pioli’s team were caught out by Adopo’s 114th-minute goal. It is a further setback after the disappointing league draw against Roma a few days ago.
The lack of clinical edge, being unable to score and conceding on the counter despite having the numerical advantage are grounds for reflection. Quite simply, it was a negative evening. The first objective of the season has now become unattainable at a delicate and important moment of the campaign. Although it will be difficult, the Rossoneri will have to quickly put this defeat behind them and respond immediately in their next fixture: at 18:00 CET on Saturday, they will be back in Serie A action when they face Lecce away from home. After that, thoughts will turn to the Supercoppa Italiana.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v TORINO
MATCH REPORT
After a cautious start to the game, the first real chance fell to Torino on twelve minutes: Sanabria playing a ball over the top for Lukić, whose shot in front of goal was well-saved by an onrushing Tătărușanu. AC Milan moved the ball around calmly but without the necessary conviction to open up the visitors. On the 25th-minute mark, Dest’s deflected attempt from the edge of the area forced Milinković-Savić to push over the bar. From the resulting corner, De Ketelaere’s flicked header at the near post looped over everyone but agonisingly hit the post. But after that scare, there was little shout about: Singo attempted an overhead kick after 38 minutes, and Dest couldn’t find the target a minute before half-time, before De Ketelaere’s powerful strike was again kept out by a no means perfect but efficient Milinković-Savić.
The second half started off livelier, with Sanabria unable to reach Lukić’s dangerous ball across the face of goal on the 48th-minute mark, sparking Díaz to start a breakaway that ended with Pobega volleying straight at the keeper. The Rossoneri continued to push forward, and after 56 minutes Tonali set himself but shot high over. Changes were then made with Messias having an instant impact as he came close to opening the scoring with a lob from a tight angle, before then forcing Djidji to foul him, resulting in the Torino defender to be sent off for a second bookable offence. The Diavolo were awoken and had their best players on the pitch, but lacked the accuracy in front of goal: on the 73rd and 86th minute, Leão tried his luck from distance, as well as Dest after 84 minutes. Even Hernández and De Ketelaere couldn’t find the necessary luck with Milinković-Savić constantly being Torino’s savour. The match ended 0-0 after 90 minutes and went into extra-time.
With the Granata down to ten men, they were happy to sit back, defend deep and allow AC Milan space to have the ball, giving very little away: Leão, three minutes after the restart, shot off target, and Dest’s low-drive from distance was again kept out by Milinković-Savić after 99 minutes. In-between, on the 98th and 100th-minute mark, the home fans sighed a big relief when Lukić and Linetty’s efforts failed to go in. At the end of the first half in extra-time, Giroud was stopped in the six-yard box as he was about to strike. The final 15 minutes of the match started off in the same way it had ended, with what little energy remaining not bringing about much action for the home side. Instead, it was the visiting team that rocked the San Siro after 114 minutes with a deadly counter-attack: Lukić played a long ball through for Bayeye, whose cross was perfect for Adopo to tap into the net just a few yards out. AC Milan desperately tried to react with Tomori, Giroud, Calabria and Hernández all having attempts without the desired effect. The whistle was blown, and the game ended 0-1.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 0-1 TORINO
AC MILAN (3-4-2-1): Tătărușanu; Kalulu, Gabbia (77' Hernández), Tomori; Saelemaekers (67' Messias), Vranckx (83' Bennacer), Tonali, Dest (110' Calabria); Díaz (67' Leão), Pobega (77' Giroud); De Ketelaere. Subs: Mirante, Nava; Bozzolan; Adli, Bakayoko; Lazetić. Coach: Pioli.
TORINO (3-4-2-1): Milinković-Savić; Djidji, Schuurs, Buongiorno; Singo (111' Bayeye), Lukić, Ricci (91' Adopo), Rodríguez (82' Linetty); Miranchuk (90' Seck), Vlašić (82' Vojvoda); Sanabria (71' Zima). Subs: Berisha, Gemello; Dembélé; Garbett, Gineitis; Karamoh, Radonjić. Coach: Jurić.
Referee: Rapuano from Rimini.
Goal: 114' Adopo (T).
Booked: 92' Milinković-Savić (T), 109' Linetty (T).
Sent off: 70' Djidji (T).
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