TORINO v AC MILAN: MATCH PREVIEW
Serie A
Torino v AC Milan is less than six hours away. This is a pivotal moment in the season for the Rossoneri, who will be hoping to get back to winning ways after the draw with Bologna. Ahead of kick-off at 20:45 CEST, get the low-down on the game at the Olimpico Grande Torino with our Match Preview.
LATEST FROM MILANELLO
Following our league game against Bologna on Monday evening, the players returned to training on Tuesday; after being granted a rest day on Wednesday, the Rossoneri moved onto the hard work. The squad, however, won't completely be injury-free, beyond Alessandro Florenzi's arthroscopy operation on his left knee this week; Bennacer, Castillejo, Ibrahimović and Rebić will also be absent. Saelemaekers might come in from the start, as he competes with Messias for a spot on the right-wing, in AC Milan's typical 4-2-3-1, led by Giroud.
"We’ve worked well during the week," Stefano Pioli said in his pre-match press conference. "I’ve seen commitment and participation, as well as the quality that will be needed tomorrow night. We know we need to improve our finishing. We’ve worked on it and paid particular attention in doing so. Every side experiences ups and downs during a season, including the strongest teams. We know we can overcome difficulties through how we play as a team, and this is what we need to focus on."
LATEST FROM TORINO
The Granata currently sit in 11th place on 38 points and are edging closer to mathematical safety. Torino won last time out, beating Salernitana 1-0 away from home. Torino have recorded some big results at home this season, drawing against both Inter and Juventus. The good news for Jurić is the return of Pobega from suspension and he will likely partner either Brekalo or Pjaca in behind captain Belotti. The bad news is the injury to Mandragora, who joins the other absentees in Dijdij, Praet, Sanabria and Zaza. Berisha will likely start in goal with Bremer leading the defence; Lukić will likely start in midfield to give the Granata a bit of steel in the centre of the park.
"We've had a few good games, in which we haven't got the result that we deserved. We now just need to keep focus," said Ivan Jurić, "and pick up big points. We have taken points of the big teams and AC Milan are definitely a good side. We'll give it our all in order to win."
PRE-MATCH
From Torino to Torino, once again as part of the run-in. The rampant Rossoneri win (7-0) put AC Milan on track for Champions League qualification, which they reached virtually at the death. This season, meanwhile, the Rossoneri will be hoping to maintain their title push. That game on 12 May 2021 broke records as the Diavolo dominated from start to finish: the goals came from Rebić x3, Hernández x2, Kessie (penalty) and Díaz.
LATEST FROM SERIE A
Daniele Doveri will referee Torino v AC Milan. Assisting him will be Lo Cicero and Bercigli as linesmen, Marcenaro as fourth official and Irrati (assisted by Longo) as VAR. The Tuscan referee will take charge of his 192nd Serie A match; he has officiated the Rossoneri on 23 occasions (the most recent was the derby in November, 1-1) and the Granata 16 times (the most recent a 1-0 win at home against Udinese over a year ago).
Torino v AC Milan is the Sunday-night fixture on Serie A matchday 32. The results on Saturday were as follows: Empoli 0-0 Spezia, Inter 2-0 Hellas Verona and Cagliari 1-2 Juventus. On Sunday, the fixtures are Genoa 1-4 Lazio, Napoli v Fiorentina (15:00 CEST), Sassuolo v Atalanta (15:00 CEST), Venezia v Udinese (15:00 CEST) and Roma v Salernitana (18:00 CEST). The matchday concludes with Bologna v Sampdoria (20:45 CEST) on Monday night.
Here are the current standings: AC Milan* 67, Inter* and Napoli* 66, Juventus 62, Lazio 55, Roma* 54, Atalanta** 51, Fiorentina** 50, Hellas Verona 45, Sassuolo* 43, Torino** 38, Bologna** 34, Udinese*** and Empoli 33, Spezia 32, Sampdoria* 29, Cagliari 25, Venezia** and Genoa 22, Salernitana*** 16. (* one game in hand, ** two games in hand, *** three games in hand)
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