Preview: Torino vs AC Milan,Serie A Gameweek 26

  • 天使の翼 2025/02/22 03:37
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In the aftermath of their calamitous exit from Europe, AC Milan must try to boost their pursuit of a Champions League return by beating Torino on Saturday.


preview


After a last-day defeat in Zagreb cost them a top-eight finish in the inaugural league-phase table, Milan's Champions League woes reached a new low when they were dumped out of the playoffs on Tuesday.


Having lost the first leg in Rotterdam, the Rossoneri struck first at San Siro, with Santiago Gimenez finishing from close range against his old club; however, after Theo Hernandez was sent off for a second bookable offence - the latter of which was diving - Feyenoord equalised on the night and went on to claim aggregate victory.


Parachuted in after another Portuguese coach, Paulo Fonseca, failed to get to grips with a struggling squad, new boss Sergio Conceicao has certainly experienced an eventful few weeks in charge.


Since his first league game in January, Milan have picked up the joint-most points in Serie A - a tally of 14 is level with Roma, Juventus and city rivals Inter Milan - and has already steered his side to success in the Supercoppa Italiana.


However, discontent continues to brew, and the second-city giants remain outside the all-important top four; back-to-back wins on Saturday and from next week's game-in-hand against Bologna would help quieten the noise.


After a 2-2 draw on the opening matchday - when two late goals saved their skin at San Siro - Milan meet Torino again this weekend, aiming to reduce a four-point deficit to fourth-placed Juventus for one day at least.


Having won their last two home games against this week's visitors, Torino will now hope to post a streak of three for only the second time in their long Serie A history - last doing so back in 1977.


In fact, the Granata have lost just one of their last 11 league meetings with Milan in Turin - albeit, that was a 7-0 thrashing that marked the club's joint-heaviest top-flight defeat.


This time, they host their Rossoneri rivals while sitting safely in mid-table, despite seeing their unbeaten run since the start of 2025 finally ended.


Last week, goals from recent signing Eljif Elmas and stand-in skipper Nikola Vlasic put Toro on track for victory over Bologna, but conceding twice late on - including a 90th-minute own goal from another new boy, Cristiano Biraghi - cost them dearly.


After a streak of seven games without defeat - six of which were draws - Paolo Vanoli's men were finally beaten, but they remain in contention for a top-half finish.


Torino possible starting lineup:

Milinkovic-Savic; Walukiewicz, Maripan, Coco, Biraghi; Ricci, Casadei; Lazaro, Vlasic, Karamoh; Adams


AC Milan possible starting lineup:

Maignan; Walker, Thiaw, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Fofana, Musah; Chukwueze, Reijnders, Sottil; Gimenez

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