TORINO v AC MILAN: A PREVIOUS MEETING

On Sunday evening, AC Milan are back in Serie A action as they face a tough trip to Torino. Jurić's team are energetic and will present the Rossoneri with a stern test away from home. We're edging ever closer to the end of the season now and Pioli's side will need to dig deep at a ground that - until the big win last season - has always been a tough place to travel for the Rossoneri (one win at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino in their last eight visits). Matchday 32 is fast approaching, so let's get in the mood for the match by looking at the previous meeting from the 2007/08 season.

SETTING THE SCENE
It was Saturday 22 March, the day before Easter and matchday 30 of the 2007/08 season. The Rossoneri were in poor form when they travelled to the Stadio Olimpico (now known as the Grande Torino). After being knocked out of the Champions League by Arsenal a few weeks prior, AC Milan went into matchday 30 following back-to-back defeats in the league to Roma and Sampdoria. A victory was, therefore, crucial if the Rossoneri were to keep pace with Fiorentina and keep their Champions League hopes alive. Ahead of kick-off, Inter were top of the table with 68 points, Roma 61, Juventus 55, Fiorentina 50 and AC Milan 46. Ancelotti was without Kaká, who picked up an injury after just ten minutes against Samp, and went instead with two strikers: Pato and Gilardino - the latter was preferred to young Paloschi. Behind them was Seedorf and the usual midfield trio of Gattuso, Pirlo and Ambrosini. The back line was formed of Oddo, Nesta, Kaladze and Maldini.

EVEN FIRST HALF
There was very little goal-mouth action in the first half as both sides sought to defend resolutely. The first chance fell to former AC Milan man Walter Novellino's Toro as Stellone fired the ball into the side netting. AC Milan responded through Seedorf, who was the driving force for the guests in the first 45; Clarence's free-kick forced Granata goalkeeper Fontana into a diving save. The Dutchman was back in the thick of the action a few moments later when he sent his shot on the turn wide of the mark. The biggest chance of the half, however, fell to Pato, who received the ball from Gilardino in a good position but fired off target.

FIRST A SCARE, THEN THE GOAL
The second half began with the hosts spurning a huge opportunity. Rosina, fed by Stellone, was closed down brilliantly by Kaladze just as he was about to pull the trigger for what looked like a certain goal. After that narrow escape, the Rossoneri kicked up through the gears and came close once again through Seedorf, whose effort from Oddo's cross struck the bar. Fontana then intervened to deny Gilardino from close range. Gila then had a hand in the goal, releasing Seedorf, who fell, got back up, skipped past Fontana and aimed the ball towards the goal line for Pato to stroke it home: AC Milan in the lead. Fontana then denied Seedorf - again(!) - a goal that our number 10 would have thoroughly merited. As the game wound to a close, Kalac came up big as he kept out Stellone's effort.

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