GIROUD WINS IT AGAINST TORINO
Serie A
Six consecutive victories, nine wins from ten in Serie A, five from five at San Siro. Stefano Pioli's AC Milan maintained their stunning form in domestic football with a 1-0 midweek victory over Torino. Olivier Giroud bagged an early opener, which was enough to seal the deal in a match with very few clear sights of goal. The French world champion bagged his fourth goal of the season - all in his three appearances at San Siro.
The Rossoneri put in a disciplined performance against a Torino side that was set up to defend resolutely. AC Milan took very few risks apart from two later scares, both of which Tătăruşanu did brilliantly to keep out. These three points are vital ahead of the Diavolo's upcoming fixtures. Next up for the Rossoneri: AC Milan head to the Stadio Olimpico to take on José Mourinho's Roma on Sunday evening.
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REPORT
Pioli made three changes to the side that started against Bologna; Romagnoli, Kalulu and Giroud all played from kick-off. The opening stages of the match were extremely fractured with plenty of breaks in play. The Rossoneri were, however, set up well and took the lead with their first real chance. In the 14th minute, Tonali swung in the corner for Krunić, who nodded on to Giroud to prod it home. The Frenchman's strike broke the deadlock but didn't open up the match. Chances in the rest of the first half were few and far between, save for a few attempts from Leão and a Krunić, which went wide.
At the break, Pioli decided not to take any risks by sending on Kjær and Hernández in place of Romagnoli and Kalulu, both of whom had already been booked. Simon and Theo featured heavily in two quickfire chances; the Dane headed wide from the corner (69') before the Frenchman whipped in a tantalising cross, to no avail. The guests didn't give up and, in the 76th minute, Tătăruşanu produced a fine save to deny Sanabria. Hernández had a go with a powerful effort in the 82nd minute before Praet's shot struck the crossbar and had San Siro trembling. The Granata gave it a good go and, in injury time, Tătăruşanu twice came up big - once to deny a difficult deflection from Tomori. It ended 1-0.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 1-0 TORINO
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Tătăruşanu; Calabria, Tomori, Romagnoli (46' Kjær), Kalulu (46' Hernández); Tonali (65' Bakayoko), Kessie; Saelemaekers, Krunić (65' Bennacer), Leão; Giroud (86' Ibrahimović). Subs.: Jungdal, Mirante; Conti, Gabbia; Maldini, Pellegri. Coach: Pioli.
TORINO (3-4-2-1): Milinković-Savić; Djidji, Bremer, Buongiorno (46' Rodríguez); Singo (74' Vojvoda), Lukić, Pobega, Aina (79' Zaza); Linetty (53' Praet), Brekalo; Belotti (53' Sanabria). Subs.: Berisha; Kone, Zima; Baselli, Rincón; Warming. Coach: Jurić.
Referee: Aureliano from Bologna.
Goals: 14' Giroud (M).
Booked: 5' Buongiorno (T), 10' Romagnoli (M), 24' Singo (T), 34' Kalulu (M), 56' Pobega (T).
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