AC MILAN BOUNCE BACK WITH WIN OVER TORINO
Serie A
Three goals. Three points. AC Milan, following their defeat in Rome, returned to winning ways with a 3-2 victory over Torino. There was plenty of emotion in a goal-packed encounter at San Siro. Pavlović in the first half and Rabiot and Fofana in the second won it for the hosts. It was not a guaranteed result, but it certainly was a deserved one, as Allegri’s men came roaring out in the second half. Although Simeone did bring the guests level and Vlašić did pull one back from the spot late on, there was no great worry in the overall game management. Nothing was certain ahead of kick-off, but it was a good performance in the end. The Rossoneri played with sacrifice and were concrete; it was just what they needed as they get nearer to Champions League qualification.
Pavlović scored a stunner, Rabiot netted and proved his worth once again, while Fofana celebrated for the first time since Udine in September. We should also make a mention of the return of Gimenez after a five-month absence. Good news and encouraging signs for a group that has responded to Napoli’s win and gone five points off top spot for the time being. After Serie A matchday 30, the Diavolo now sit on 63 points in second place. We now have an international break, which is a chance to rest and plan with more calm. The Rossoneri’s next game is an important one, as they travel to the Maradona on Easter Monday.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v TORINO
MATCH REPORT
Despite Pavlović being the first to threaten - his glancing header from a corner going wide - it was Torino who started the brighter. Prati fired over in the tenth minute, Simeone headed off target two minutes later, Vlašić’s effort flashed across the face of goal (13'), and Ismajli tested Maignan shortly after. In the 29th minute, an attempt from Gineitis on the counter landed in Maignan's arms. AC Milan began to respond, with a neat exchange between Fofana and Rabiot ending with Adrien's powerful strike being kept out by Paleari (36'). Just moments later, the Rossoneri took the lead thanks to a moment of brilliance from Pavlović: controlling the ball from distance, he set himself and unleashed a superb left-footed strike that clipped the crossbar on its way in. The lead didn't last long. Maignan produced a fine save to deny Zapata in the 38th minute, but he couldn't stop the ball from entering the net in the 44th minute: the Rossoneri goalkeeper saved Vlašić’s low drive, but Simeone was the quickest to react on the loose ball to bag the equaliser.
AC Milan made a devastating start to the second half, taking control of the game. After a couple of attacking moves involving Bartesaghi, we regained the lead in the 54th minute: Modrić found Pulisic out wide, and his low cross was turned in from close range by Rabiot. Moments later, it was 3-1. In the 55th minute, Fofana picked up the ball, took his time and calmly slotted home with his right foot. Just after the hour mark, Füllkrug tried to get on the end of a cross, but his header lacked power. Torino looked to respond: in the 67th minute, Maignan produced a brilliant save with his foot to deny Simeone, before İlkhan fired off target two minutes later. Ricci threatened in the 80th minute, but Paleari was equal to it. The game was thrown back open in the 83rd minute when, after a VAR review, Torino were awarded a penalty for Pavlović's foul on Simeone. Vlašić stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way, finding the top corner. There were some nervy moments late on but no real danger as AC Milan held on for a 3-2 win.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 3-2 TORINO
AC MILAN (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori (46' Athekame), De Winter, Pavlović; Saelemaekers (90'+1 Odogu), Fofana (70' Ricci), Modrić, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Pulisic (77' Gimenez), Füllkrug (70' Nkunku). Subs: Pittarella, Terracciano; Estupiñan; Jashari. Coach: Allegri.
TORINO (3-5-2): Paleari; Coco, Ismajli, Ebosse (89' Kulenović); Pedersen, Vlašić, Prati (63' İlkhan), Gineitis (74' Casadei), Obrador (89' Nkounkou); Simeone, Zapata (63' Adams). Subs: Israel, Siviero; Biraghi, Lazaro, Marianucci, Maripán; Anjorin, Ilić, Tameze. Coach: D'Aversa.
Referee: Fourneau from Roma 1.
Goals: 37' Pavlović (M), 44' Simeone (T), 54' Rabiot (M), 55' Fofana (M), 83' pen. Vlašić (T).
Booked: 9' Tomori (M), 82' Pavlović (M), 90'+3 İlkhan (T), 90'+6 Gimenez (M).
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