Milan 1-0 Torino Notes On A Midweek Struggle

Ballo-Toure’s injury, after being stamped on by Roberto Soriano during the weekend, was bad enough to have him miss this midweek week 10 match versus Torino. Kalulu replaced him as the left back. Theo was back from COVID isolation but too late to be a starter. Diaz had tested negative the day of the match and of course not ready to be in the squad. Pellegri returned to the squad.

Andrea Belotti, subject of perpetual Milan rumours, started for Torino.

The first goal arrived in the 14th minute. A well taken Tonali corner was headed on by Krunic and Giroud lurked behind the defenders to divert it in. The early minutes were mainly advantage Milan in possession and movement. The defense doing well in tracking Belotti and other Torino attackers. Klaulu could perhaps do better when receiving and having the ball. Tonali continuing to show growth but still sometimes not there yet.

Neither team threatened much or did much with the ball the rest of the half, Milan came a bit closer to Torino’s goal than the visitors.

Kjaer and Theo replaced Romagnoli and Kalulu to start the second. Theo could force Torino’s Wilfried Singo back a bit as he was giving Kalulu a hard time.

Torino had a better start in the second and maintained possession well. Not long into the second Belotti came off for Antonio Sanabria. The Paraguay international has been solid in his short time in Turin.

Bakayoko and Bennacer came on for Tonali and Krunic in a bid to control the midfield and match better. Torino came close in the 75th minute on a counter that was poorly lost in midfield. Tatarusanu barely kept the ball out. Torino came cloe again in the 85th minute when a ball deflected and grazed the top of the bar. Milan players protested that a foul had to be called just before it. In between Milan struggled to bother Vanja Milinkovic-Savic in Torino’s goal. On the other side of the pitch Tomori continued to stop attackers and be a wall.

Ibra replaced Giroud in the final minutes. Fresh legs and impetus were helpful. Tatarusanu made a good punching stop in the final minute, the ball might have been going out but it was Torino who were threatening.

A 1-0 win was welcome three points, of course. For now Milan were alone atop of the Serie A standings.