ROSSONERI RUN RIOT IN SAN SIRO OPENER
Serie A
San Siro called and the team answered. The Rossoneri's first game at home this season ended 4-1 to the hosts in front of a noisy, passionate, 72k-strong crowd. Pulisic and Giroud scored in the opposite order to the Bologna game; the USA international opened the scoring and the Frenchman doubled AC Milan's lead from the spot. Theo produced a sublime finish to hand the Rossoneri a third before Oli G made it a brace of spot-kicks in the second half. The Granata, who are always tricky opposition, didn't really get going and struggled to cause any issues for Pioli's men save for the action that led to the goal.
After victory at the Dall'Ara on matchday 1, the team, despite conceding, took another step forward, especially in their offensive output. It was what Pioli had asked for and the response from the team was resounding, a good sign ahead of Friday's tricky trip to the Olimpico to take on Roma, who will be hungry for a resurgence following defeat to Hellas Verona tonight. High pressing, speedy recovery of possession and a constant threat; it was a great evening all around. Let's not let up!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v TORINO
MATCH REPORT
The San Siro effect was evident from the off, with AC Milan compact, aggressive and often dangerous going forward. In the opening three minutes, Torino struggled to keep the Rossoneri advances contained and two times Leão found good openings, but was unable to find the right final ball. It was Rafa again on 5’ who hit the target, but too central, before Giroud swivelled and hit one on the half-volley that went just wide after nine minutes. Following sustained pressure, the opener eventually came on 33': Pulisic sent Loftus-Cheek away on the break, who eluded Rodríguez and crossed across goal for the oncoming number 11 to tap home at the back post into an empty net to make it 1-0. Torino replied immediately and equalised through Schuurs after 36', taking advantage of a loose ball in the area to net and make it 1-1. The Rossoneri offensive didn’t let up, though, and a penalty was awarded after VAR deemed that the ball had hit Buongiorno’s hand in the box: Giroud stepped up and slotted it cooly home as the Frenchman always does: 2-1. In first-half stoppage time, the left-flank combination produced a wonderful goal: Leão providing for Theo, who anticipated an onrushing Milinković-Savić to dink the ball over him and make it 3-1 to the delight of the home crowd.
Two big chances for the home side kicked off the second half, with Loftus-Cheek first brushing off physical pressure from Ricci before hitting straight at the Granata keeper, and then Pulisic firing over with his left following some beautful link-up play with Rafa. The Rossoneri number 10 won another penalty after Schuurs' stamp on his foot following a tackle, and again Giroud accurately put it away from the spot: 65 minutes gone and 4-1 to AC Milan! Several changes were made after the fourth goal, with a first taste of San Siro for Musah, Chukwueze and Okafor. The pace of the game slowed; the Granata lacked any further threat while the Rossoneri looked to sting on the counter-attack through the tireless Pulisic and Reijnders. The result stayed the same; San Siro applauded the first home game of the season and a four-goal haul over Torino.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 4-1 TORINO
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw (80' Kjær), Tomori, Hernández (87' Florenzi); Loftus-Cheek (67' Musah), Krunić, Reijnders; Pulisic, Giroud (67' Chukwueze), Leão (67' Okafor). Subs.: Mirante, Sportiello; Kalulu, Kjær, Pellegrino; Adli, Musah, Pobega, Romero; Colombo. Coach: Pioli.
TORINO (3-4-2-1): Milinković-Savić; Schuurs, Buongiorno, Rodríguez; Bellanova (59' Lazaro), Ricci, Ilić (46' Linetty), Vojvoda; Radonijć (59' Karamoh), Vlašić; Sanabria (22' Pellegri). Subs.: Gemello, Popa; Bayeye, N'Guessan, Zima; Gineitis, Ilkhan, Tameze. Coach: Jurić.
Referee: Mariani from Aprilia.
Goal: 33' Pulisic (M), 36' Schuurs (T), 43' pen. Giroud (M), 45+2' Hernández (M), 65' pen. Giroud (M).
Booked: 11' Ilić (T), 39' Hernández (M), 50' Jurić (T), 57' Milinković-Savić (T), 70' Thiaw (M), 89' Linetty (T).
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