DEFEAT IN TURIN
Serie A
Our final away fixture of the season ends in defeat. The Rossoneri lost 3-1 following a drab and less-than-incisive performance at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. The hosts, who got out to a three-goal lead with strikes from Zapata, Ilić and Rodríguez, were well up for it, while AC Milan played without any great rhythm and were caught out for their opposition's goals. Ismaël Bennacer scored a consolation goal from the penalty spot to soften the blow of the result on Serie A matchday 37.
The Rossoneri had a rocky start to the game and it only got worse after the Granata's opener, which came from their first shot on target. After the goal, the host looked decidedly more confident and solid. The Rossoneri's reaction came too late and the three-goal deficit proved impossible to overcome. The only option is to turn the page and give everything on final day, which pits AC Milan against Salernitana next weekend. Dai ragazzi!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM TORINO v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
The start was as expected, with AC Milan in possession and Toro aggressive and with a high press. The first signs of life came between the 5th and 8th minute, with the Granata first through Ilić's double attempt from a free kick and then Pulisic's right-footed shot effort getting knocked behind for a corner for the Rossoneri. A big chance fell to the hosts on 19 minutes, with Pellegri finding Tameze with a low cross, but the Frenchman skied his shot over from the penalty spot. AC Milan responded through Okafor's curling effort that almost dropped into the top corner after 25 minutes, before Torino broke the deadlock a minute later as Rodríguez’s cross was powerfully headed into the bottom corner by Zapata. The goal upset the Diavolo’s plans, who threatened after 34 minutes through Pulisic, before then being surprised on the break in the 40th minute: Bellanova picking out Ilić at the far post, who had time and space to pick his spot and head home to double the hosts' lead. Half time.
No changes were made at half-time, as Torino stunned the visitors immediately after the restart. Just a few seconds in and Rodríguez unleashed a left-footed rocket that flew into the top corner to make it 3-0 in the 46th minute. Pulisic sounded the call and AC Milan responded, with the American hitting the crossbar on 48 minutes, despite a foul being given afterwards. Soon after, the number 11 slipped Jović through, but the angle was tight and his shot was blocked at the near post by opposition shotstopper. And it was Pulisic again, in the 53rd minute, this time brought down by Masina in the 18-yard box to win a penalty: from the spot, Bennacer sent the keeper the wrong way to pull a goal back. However, Jurić's team regrouped. Pioli brought on fresh legs, but the Rossoneri failed to find any breakthrough. Between the 83rd and 86th minute, Giroud and Leão tried their luck: the number 9 first headed over before a dazzling run from our number 10 ended with Milinković-Savić keeping out his shot on target. The home number 32 also saved from Tomori in injury time. It ended 3-1.
MATCH DETAILS
TORINO 3-1 AC MILAN
TORINO (3-4-1-2): Milinković-Savić; Tameze, Buongiorno (80' Lovato), Masina; Bellanova (74' Lazaro), Linetty, Ilić, Rodríguez (61' Vojvoda); Ricci; Pellegri (74' Sanabria), Zapata. Subs: Gemello, Popa; Dellavalle, Djidji, Savva, Sazonov; Ciammaglichella, Silva Pertinhes; Kabić, Okereke. Coach: Jurić.
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Sportiello; Kalulu, Thiaw, Tomori, Terracciano (65' Florenzi); Reijnders, Bennacer (77' Pobega), Musah (77' Giroud); Pulisic, Jović, Okafor (61' Leão). Subs: Maignan, Mirante; Bartesaghi, Calabria, Caldara; Adli, Zeroli. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Feliciani from Teramo.
Goals: 26' Zapata (T), 40' Ilić (T), 46' Rodríguez (T), 55' pen. Bennacer (M).
Booked: 78' Tomori (M), 90'+5 Ricci (T).
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