TIME MACHINE: TORINO v AC MILAN

Turin is always an interesting place to go, and it's never easy to play there. Indeed, matches against the Granata are always demanding encounters. In recent history, we haven't had a lot of positive results away to Torino. However, there is one that stands out in particular, both because of the size of the Rossoneri's victory and its importance at that particular moment of the season. With the matchday 26 clash between Torino and AC Milan fast approaching, we're turning on our Time Machine again to relive the Diavolo's last win at the Olimpico Grande Torino.

Stefano Pioli's men headed into matchday 36 of the 2020/21 Serie A season on the back of a win in Turin 72 hours before. Indeed, in recording a fantastic 3-0 victory over Juventus, the Rossoneri had reignited their hopes of finishing in a Champions League spot. Against Nicola's relegation-threatened Torino, the Diavolo took to the pitch in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation. AC Milan made an excellent start and were up by two after 26 minutes, with Kessie coolly converting a penalty after a fine left-footed strike by Theo Hernández to open the scoring (19'). Between these two goals, Castillejo struck the post for the Rossoneri, who were also grateful to Donnarumma for a save to prevent Bremer pulling one back. AC Milan thus headed into the break 2-0 in front.

The second 45 minutes of the match on 12 May 2021 make it particularly memorable. The third goal arrived in the 50th minute, with Brahim Díaz building on his goal at the Juventus Stadium by finishing off Kessie's assist. Brahim then struck the bar as he came inches away from bagging a brace. Instead, it was Theo Hernández who scored a double: the Frenchman got on the end of a Rebić through ball and lifted it over the goalkeeper to make it 4-0. Rebić truly did take centre stage in the final half an hour: after that assist, the Croatian netted a brilliant hat-trick in the space of twelve minutes. First, he fired first time into the net from a Krunić pass (67'). Then, he finished off a swift counter-attack after being set up by Leão. Finally, in the 79th minute, Krunić nodded the ball across the face of goal for Rebić to convert with his knee. The Rossoneri thus won by a seven-goal margin for the first time since beating Udinese 7-0 in June 1959, and it was a vital victory in a campaign where AC Milan went on to secure Champions League qualification.

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