Week 22: Milan – Torino

Milan limited the damage in the derby against Inter. A questionable lineup that somewhat replicated Simone Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 and featured Kalulu, Kjaer and Gabbia at the back with Theo and Calabria as wingbacks was surprising if not unexpected. The most controversial feature of the lineup was leaving Leao on the bench with Origi and Giroud up front. The latter two’s form has been poor or purely non existent and Giroud was guilty of missing a very easy pass when Leao, on the pitch for the second half, found him very open inside Inter’s box. A very poor first half was followed by a marginally better second but the 1-0 loss further dented Milan’s season.

The good news for this week 22 match is that Ibra is back in the squad. However, the news on Maignan is bad again. His return has been postponed yet again. Tatarusanu does not inspire confidence and is often a liability. The starting line up could feature three at the back again perhaps with Thiaw starting in Gabbia’s place and with some minor changes up front. Diaz could get the start with the Messias in midfield experiment shelved. Leao, whose contract extension seems more out of reach now, will surely get the start. Milan are now out of the top 4 and any more set back and Champions League place could be in danger. Losing out of European revenue will be devastating to the team and will add pressure to the so far disappointing RedBird ownership and indeed the team’s management of Maldini and Massara.

Torino’s injury list is not a short one either with Pietro Pellegri among the missing. Nevertheless Ivan Juric’s team are in good shape, in seventh place and only one place (-8 points) behind Milan in the table.

There is always more about this match and others on the forums.