AC MILAN BACK TO WINNING WAYS
Serie A
A win that had been missing for over a month. This evening, the Rossoneri picked up three points with a 1-0 victory over Torino, gaining revenge for their defeats to the Granata in the reverse fixture and the Coppa Italia in the process. From Salerno to San Siro, a period that, although relatively short, was full of difficulties. The team’s aim is to get back on track in the league, and tonight was a start. A vital win, but the Rossoneri will now have to build on this in their next few games to really put what has been a tough period behind them. For now, it is extremely pleasing to return to winning ways, which the team managed to do thanks to Giroud’s second-half header (his seventh goal this season and second in successive home matches).
It was a performance full of unity and sacrifice, with the Rossoneri being backed all the way by the 68,268-strong crowd in attendance. As they wait for the rest of the league to play this weekend, Coach Pioli’s men currently sit alone in third on 41 points after 22 fixtures. Attentions will now turn to the Champions League: at 21:00 CET on Tuesday 14 February, AC Milan will play the first leg of their round of 16 tie against Tottenham at San Siro. A thrilling and crucial showdown awaits before a trip to face Monza in Serie A. Come on, lads!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v TORINO
MATCH REPORT
There was another new formation, with Pioli making a few changes but keeping the trusted three at the back. The big news of the night, though, was the return of Zlatan Ibrahimović on the bench. AC Milan set off quickly, with Díaz playing a ball through over the top for Hernández, who found himself free in a good position, but his shot was wayward and flew over the bar. The home side moved the ball around early in the game, but that didn't stop Torino from threatening. After ten minutes, Miranchuk’s left-footed strike went over; eight minutes later, Sanabria’s well-hit shot from the edge of the box flashed just past the post. Neither side were able to create any clear-cut opportunities to break the deadlock, as the game saw many errors and became a real tussle. On the half-hour mark, Leão was stopped in front of goal, before Hernández’s attempt was to no avail. There was a scare after 37 minutes when Kjær slipped in the box, only for Tătărușanu to come out and save well from Sanabria. Before the break, Saelemaekers' shot was off target as the teams went in on level terms.
Just as the first, the second half started off brightly, with both sides spurning a chance apiece: after 54 minutes, Giroud set up Leão, whose shot was kept out by Milinković-Savić, and two minutes later Tătărușanu was alert to save Singo’s effort. Moments later, the Torino keeper failed to hold onto a save, as the ball rolled under him towards the goalline, but was agile to get back and clear off the line from Giroud, who was closing in. Vojvoda wasted a chance, which was to prove vital as the Rossoneri took the lead soon after. On 62 minutes, Hernández crossed from the left and Giroud rose the highest to glance home into the far corner. The lead lifted the Diavolo, who 15 minutes from time nearly doubled their lead: Kalulu led the counter-attack playing in Hernández in the box, but his side-foot shot strayed wide. The closing stages became tense with the Granata earning a couple of corners, especially from Miranchuk’s header deep into stoppage-time, but it wasn't to be and the game ended 1-0.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 1-0 TORINO
AC MILAN (3-4-3): Tătărușanu; Kalulu, Kjær (71' Gabbia), Thiaw; Saelemaekers (89' Calabria), Tonali (89' Pobega), Krunić, Hernández; Díaz (79' De Ketelaere), Giroud (89' Origi), Leão. Subs: Mirante, Vásquez; Ballo-Touré; Adli, Bakayoko, Vranckx; Ibrahimović, Messias, Rebić. Coach: Pioli.
TORINO (3-4-2-1): Milinković-Savić; Djidji (80' Gravillon), Schuurs, Buongiorno (57' Vojvoda); Singo, Gineitis (46' Linetty), Adopo (69' Karamoh), Rodríguez; Miranchuk, Vlašić (80' Radonjić); Sanabria. Subs: Fiorenza, Gemello; Aina, Bayeye; Ilić, Vieira; Seck. Coach: Jurić.
Referee: Ayroldi from Molfetta.
Goals: 62' Giroud (M).
Booked: 25' Gineitis (T), 32' Kjær (M), 49' Buongiorno (T), 68' Schuurs (T), 82' Radonjić (T).
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