AC Milan v Torino Preview

Torino travel to the San Siro hoping to avoid a fifth consecutive Serie A defeat, and earn Moreno Longo his first positive result as Toro coach.

Cristian Ansaldi should return to the starting eleven following injury, whilst Bremer - who scored twice in the Coppa Italia tie three weeks ago - is expected to replace the suspended Armando Izzo.

The home side suffered a disappointing defeat in the Milan Derby a week ago, losing 4-2 despite being 2-0 up at half time.

Prediction
AC Milan 1-1 Torino

AC Milan 4-2 Torino (AET)

Torino were moments away from a place in the Coppa Italia Semi Finals, but late heartbreak resulted in an extra time defeat to AC Milan on Tuesday evening.

The home side took an early lead through Giacomo Bonaventura following good work by Ante Rebic. However, Toro got a deserved equaliser from an unlikely source as Brazilian centre back Bremer galloped forward and finished like a prolific striker.

With twenty minutes remaining, Toro took the lead when Ola Aina's excellent crossed was headed home by Bremer, to get his second goal of the game.

In the first minute of injury time, substitute Hakan Calhanoglu equalised for Milan as his long range strike deflected off Koffi Djidji and past Salvatore Sirigu in the Toro goal to take the match to extra time.

In the first half of extra time, Toro had some good opportunities but were unable to find a breakthrough. The Granata were then punished as at the start of the second half, Calhanoglu fired and excellent shot past Sirigu to give the home side the lead. Moments later, Milan added a fourth goal when substitutes Rafael Leão and Zlatan Ibrahimovic combined to ensure it was the Rossoneri who progressed to the Semi Finals.

Forza Toro

Torino 2-1 AC Milan

Andrea Belotti produced an inspirational performance as he scored two goals to help Torino come from behind to beat AC Milan on Thursday evening.

Simone Verdi made his first start since rejoining the club, but that was the only change from the starting eleven who lost at Sampdoria.

The away side made the better start and were awarded a penalty when Lorenzo De Silvestri was adjudged to have fouled Rafeal Leão in the area. Polish striker Krzysztof Piątek stepped up and fired his penalty past Salvatore Sirigu.

The Rossoneri could have extended their lead before half time, but Sirigu made an excellent save to tip a header from Leão over the bar. Toro had a good chance to equalised just before the break, but Andrea Belotti could not keep his effort down with Gianluigi Donnarumma out of his area.

AC Milan continued to create chances in the opening exchanges of the second half, and Piątek should have scored following an assist by Alessio Romagnoli. The visitors were made to rue that miss, as with twenty minutes remaining, Toro grabbed an equaliser thanks to their captain Andrea Belotti whose shot from just outside the area somehow found its way past Donnarumma.

Incredibly, Toro then took the lead four minutes later, as despite missing his initial effort from close range, Andrea Belotti scored an over head kick following Simone Zaza's shot.

Simone Zaza had a chance to seal the victory, but comically pulled up with cramp whilst trying to take the ball round Donnarumma on the counter attack. That miss was almost crucial, as in the dying seconds, Suso's deep cross found Piątek, but he was denied by a miraculous save by Sirigu, and Toro held on to a vital victory.

Torino v AC Milan Preview

Torino host AC Milan at the Stadio Grande Torino on Thursday night with both teams in need of a victory.

Nicolas Nkoulou returns to the Toro squad for the first time since the Europa League home leg with Wolves, whilst Cristian Ansaldi is also included following injury.

AC Milan will be looking to bounce back following defeat in the Milan derby against rivals Inter on Sunday, and have only scored two goals in four games this season.

Prediction
Torino 0-0 AC Milan

Torino 2-0 AC Milan

Torino became serious Champions League contenders with an impressive 2-0 victory over AC Milan on Sunday evening.

With Daniele Baselli suspended, Sasa Lukic replaced the Italian midfielder, whilst Alex Berenguer continued to support Andrea Belotti in attack.

In a first half of few chances, the best of which fell to Suso, who had an early opportunity for the visitors, but the Spanish winger was denied by Salvatore Sirigu

At the start of the second half, Toro were awarded a penalty when Armando Izzo was pushed in the area by Franck Kessie. Andrea Belotti stepped forward and hit his penalty straight down the middle to give Toro the lead.

AC Milan came close to equalising, but Tiémoué Bakayoko's header from the edge of the area hit the crossbar. However, it was Toro who doubled their lead, as a poor defensive header from Mateo Musacchio was punished by Alex Berenguer's magnificent volley.

The away side were reduced to ten men when Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli was dismissed for dissent after sarcastically applauding the referee. The Granata were able to hold on and claim a vital victory, to increase their hopes of European football next season.

Forza Toro

Torino v AC Milan

Torino can move above AC Milan in the Serie A table if they beat the Rossoneri at the Stadio Grande Torino on Sunday evening.

The Granata will be without the suspended Daniele Baselli and Simone Zaza, but Iago Falque and young striker Vincenzo Millico have both made a timely return to the squad following injury.

Gennaro Gattuso will be looking for a reaction from his side, who were eliminated from the Coppa Italia by Lazio in mid week, and have only picked up 1 point from their last three away games.

Prediction
Torino 1-1 AC Milan

AC Milan 0-0 Torino

Torino maintained their unbeaten away record with a promising performance as they drew 0-0 with AC Milan on Sunday evening.

Ola Aina was preferred to Lorenzo De Silvestri at right wing back whilst Daniele Baselli returned to the starting eleven in place of Simone Zaza.

Toro made the brighter start, and should have taken the lead in the early stages when Cristian Ansaldi's cross was met by Iago Falque, whose header was magnificently saved by Gianluigi
Donnarumma.

The Granata were continuing to create good chances and Andrea Belotti also should have scored after Tomas Rincon's cut back, but he blazed his volley over the bar.

Belotti came close once again with a low shot from outside the area that deflected narrowly wide of the post.

The home side had the better of the second half, and should have taken the lead in the dying moments of the game, but Patrick Cutrone somehow curled his shot off target from close range. However, that would have been harsh on Toro, who more than deserved their point.

Forza Toro

AC Milan v Torino Preview

Torino will travel to the San Siro on Sunday evening hoping to maintain their unbeaten away record this season.

The three games the Granata have lost this season have all been on home soil, and Walter Mazzarri is expected to revert back to the system that worked well in Torino's best performance of the season at Sampdoria, with Iago Falque slightly behind Andrea Belotti in a 3-5-1-1 formation.

AC Milan have a defensive crisis at the moment, so former Toro loanee Ignazio Abate could feature as an auxiliary centre back. The home side have been in good form at the San Siro, winning four of their last five games, with the only defeat coming against Torino's local rivals Juventus.

Prediction
AC Milan 1-1 Torino

Torino 1-1 AC Milan

Torino fought back to earn a well deserved point against AC Milan on Wednesday night, but arguably should have won the game.

Walter Mazzarri stuck with the same team who drew with Chievo in the previous match, as Adem Ljajic, an injury doubt, was declared fit.

Toro made a lively start and were awarded a penalty inside two minutes, as Franck Kessie was penalised for tripping Cristian Ansaldi in the area. Captain Andrea Belotti stepped up to take the penalty, but saw his effort crash off the bar. That was the third penalty that Torino have missed against AC Milan in their last four matches, with Belotti also missing at the San Siro last season.

Torino were made to pay for that miss, as just moments later, Giacomo Bonaventura opened the scoring with a sublime half volley from distance. Toro's best chance at an equaliser in the first half was when Iago Falque blazed over the bar when trying to divert Cristian Ansaldi's wayward effort.

With twenty minutes remaining, Toro did get the equaliser that their play deserved as Lorenzo De Silvestri headed home an Adem Ljajic corner. The Serbian was almost the match-winner in the dying moments, as despite slipping before striking the ball, Ljajic poked a shot towards goal that forced an outstanding save from Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Lorenzo De Silvestri's night ended on a sour note as he was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for fouling Ricardo Rodriguez. AC Milan then almost won it in the dying seconds, as former Toro man Ignazio Abate's long range shot clipped off the post, but that would have been harsh on the Granata and the game ended level.

Forza Toro

Torino v AC Milan Preview

Torino will look to keep their slim Europa League hopes alive when they face AC Milan at the Stadio Grande Torino on Wednesday evening.

M'Baye Niang has returned to the Granata squad and could face his former team, whilst Kevin Bonifazi, Antonio Barreca and Joel Obi could come into the team that started the draw against Chievo.

AC Milan look rejuvenated under the management of Rino Gattuso, however they have not won in four Serie A games, drawing the last three.

Prediction
Torino 1-1 AC Milan

AC Milan 0-0 Torino

Torino earnt a point against Sinisa Mihajlovic's former club in a match that ultimately cost Milan's current coach Vincenzo  Montella his job.

Nicolas Burdisso was once again preferred to Lyanco in defence, whilst M'Baye Niang started against his old club in place of Iago Falque.

Croatian striker Nikola Kalinic had the first chance of the game but the former Fiorentina man could only hit the post when through on goal.

Salvatore Sirigu made a good save to keep out Suso's free kick, whilst Andre Silva missed a great chance as AC Milan dominated the first half.

Sirigu continued to perform heroics in the Torino goal as he produced a sensational double save to deny Kalinic. 

Incredibly, Toro almost stole all three points at the death as Iago Falque's close range shot was cleared off the line by a combination of Riccardo Montolivo and Gianluigi Donnarumma after Andrea Belotti's initial header was saved. 

However, Torino held on to earn their third successive Serie A draw and remain unbeaten at the San Siro in the 2017/18 season. 

AC Milan v Torino Preview

Torino travel to the San Siro for the second time this month, this time to face AC Milan on Sunday afternoon.

The Granata earned a creditable 1-1 draw against Inter three weeks ago, but were unable to replicate that performance against Chievo last weekend, although they did ultimately achieve the same result.

M'Baye Niang could feature against his former side, whilst centre back Lyanco could return to the starting eleven following injury.

Despite much investment in the summer, AC Milan have so far been underwhelming this season and are only one place and one point above the Granata.

Prediction
AC Milan 2-1 Torino

Torino 2-2 AC Milan

Torino let a two goal half time lead slip as they were held to a 2-2 draw with AC Milan, with Adem Ljajic's first half penalty miss proving costly.

Torino made a bright start and were ahead after twenty minutes when Andrea Belotti reacted quickly to re-direct Adem Ljajic's wayward shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Toro doubled that lead five minutes later as a goalmouth scramble finally resulted in Marco Benassi back-heeling the ball into the net.

After an excellent run down the left wing, Antonio Barreca won his side a penalty after he was upended by Gabriel Paletta. Adem Ljajic stepped up to take the spot kick, but his effort was straight at the teenager Donnarumma who has now saved penalties in both league games against Toro this season.

That penalty save seemed to re-energise AC Milan and they reduced the arrears ten minutes into the second half through Andrea Bertolacci's scrappy effort - which was awarded with the use of goal line technology.

Toro immediately went up the other end and thought they had scored a third goal, but Marco Benassi was adjudged to be offside as he tapped home.

On the hour mark, Milan were awarded a penalty of their own when Paletta was bundled to the ground by Luca Rossettini. Carlos Bacca stepped up and sent Joe Hart the wrong way to equalise.

Alessio Romagnoli was sent off in the closing stages after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Belotti, but Toro were unable to make the numerical advantage count.

Forza Toro

AC Milan 3-2 Torino

It was opening day agony for the Granata as Andrea Belotti had a last second penalty saved to deny Torino a deserved point against AC Milan.

Sinisa Mihajlovic gave Lorenzo De Silvesti, Luca Rossettini and Adem Ljajic league debuts as he returned to his former club.

M'baye Niang had the first chance of the game after he received Carlos Bacca's clever pass, but the Frenchman's volley hit the side netting.

Adem Ljajic's first league game in a Toro shirt last less than half an hour, as he was forced to come off injured following a collision with Alessio Romagnoli and he was replaced by Lucas Boyé.

The home side took the lead just before half time when Cristian Molinaro misjudged a long ball and his mistake was capitalised on by Ignazio Abate who delivered a perfect cross for Bacca to head home.

Molinaro quickly made amends for that error as he provided the cross for Andrea Belotti, who found the bottom corner with a glancing header moments into the second half.

However, Toro were only level for two minutes as another error, this time from Emiliano Moretti allowed Carlos Bacca to nip in for his second goal of the game. The Rossoneri were then awarded a penalty after Giacomo Bonaventura was tripped by Joel Obi, and the Colombian Bacca converted the spot kick to complete his hat trick.

However Torino failed to give up, and when substitute Daniele Baselli waltzed passed the Milan defence before side-footing past Gianluigi Donnarumma, it gave the Granata injury time in order to find an equaliser.

In the dying seconds, Gabriel Paletta was penalised for a tug on Andea Belotti in the area and the defender received a second yellow card. Belotti stepped up to take the kick himself, but he was denied by seventeen year old Gianluigi Donnarumma, a player who was given his debut at Milan by - Sinisa Mihajlovic.

Forza Toro

AC Milan v Torino Preview

Torino will kick off the 2016/17 Serie A campaign with a trip to Sinisa Mihajlovic's former club AC Milan on Sunday evening.

Toro have included a number of new signings in their squad, but Spanish winger Iago Falque misses out through injury. However, Adem Ljajic, Lorenzo De Silvestri and Luca Rossettini are all expected to start.

The Granata have a miserable recent record against AC Milan, especially at the San Siro, with their last league victory against the Rossoneri away from home coming in March 1985.

Vincenzo Montella is the new coach at AC Milan, and their supporters will be hoping that he will be the man to turn their fortunes around after years of underachievement.

Prediction
AC Milan 1-1 Torino

AC Milan 1-0 Torino

Torino's poor record against AC Milan continued as they fell to a narrow defeat at the San Siro on Saturday evening.

Giampiero Ventura started with Davide Zappacosta and Bruno Peres on each wing, a combination which worked well in Toro's last away game against Palermo - whilst Ciro Immobile and Andrea Belotti once again started up front.

Toro were inches away from being awarded a penalty in the opening moments, but Milan's teenage goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma timed his challenge on an onrushing Bruno Peres perfectly.

At the other end, AC Milan came so close to taking the lead when Keisuke Honda hit the bar with a free kick from 25 yards.

Ciro Immobile should have gave Toro the lead, but he fired wide of the target when one-on-one with Donnarumma.

Giacomo Bonaventura forced a great save from Daniele Padelli after a shot from just outside the area, but Milan took the lead from the resulting corner.

Toro failed to deal with the first ball, and it was the unlikely figure of left back Luca Antonelli who swivelled and fired past Padelli with the composure of a striker.

The Granata dominated possession for large periods of the second half, but only had one significant chance when Ciro Immobile's volley was turned round the post by the youngster Donnarumma.

Therefore, despite a performance with a number of positives, Toro fell to defeat against one of the 'bigger' sides in the division once again.

Forza Toro

AC Milan v Torino Preview

Torino will look to end their miserable recent record against AC Milan when they travel to the San Siro on Saturday evening.

The Granata have not beat the rossoneri since November 2001 when a goal from Cristiano Lucarelli gave Toro all three points.

Marco Benassi is suspended so Afriyie Acquah should replace the midfielder, whilst Davide Zappacosta could also come into the starting eleven.

The home side have been in good form as of late, as highlighted by an impressive 1-1 draw against title challengers Napoli on Monday night. Milan are currently on an eight match unbeaten run, with their last defeat coming against Bologna on January 6th.

Prediction
AC Milan 2-1 Torino

Torino 1-1 AC Milan

Torino were once again thankful to Daniele Baselli as they came from behind to earn a point against AC Milan on Sunday evening.

Cristian Molinaro returned from suspension for the home side whilst Afriyie Acquah and Alessandro Gazzi started in midfield instead of Marco Benassi and Giuseppe Vives.

In an uneventful first half, Milan captain Riccardo Montolivo had the best chance but his low drive was well saved by Daniele Padelli.

The rossoneri did take the lead mid-way through the second half after great work from Andrea Bertolacci who crossed the ball for substitute Carlos Bacca to open the scoring.

Daniele Baselli almost scored an immediate equaliser for the Granata, but his low shot whistled past the post with the aid of a deflection from Alex.

Toro brought on striker Andrea Belotti as they tried to get back into the match, and he made an instant impact as he inadvertently diverted the ball into the path of former Atalanta man Baselli who scored from a difficult angle.

The Granata had a great chance to earn all three points after on the counter attack when Acquah found Maxi Lopez in space, but the Argentine striker's effort was saved by Diego Lopez.

Toro had to settle for a point, and thus their 100% home record is now over, but this was probably a fair result.

Forza Toro

Torino V AC Milan Preview

Torino will look to maintain their 100% home record when they host AC Milan on Saturday evening.

The Granata suffered a disappointing defeat against Carpi before the international break, but will have Cristian Molinaro back from suspension, and Daniele Baselli back from injury as they look to bounce back.

AC Milan have problems of their own and suffered a humiliating 4-0 home defeat against Napoli last time out. Mario Balotelli will be unavailable for the Rossoneri, and that could mean that former Toro player Alessio Cerci will feature.

It has been fourteen years since Toro last beat Milan, a solitary Cristiano Lucarelli goal enough to earn the Granata all three points.

Prediction
Torino 2-2 AC Milan

AC Milan 3-0 Torino

Torino's hopes of qualifying for next season's Europa League are now mathematically impossible after suffering a disappointing 3-0 defeat against Milan on Sunday evening.

Injuries to regular strikers Fabio Quagliarella and Maxi Lopez meant a rare start for Amauri alongside Josef Martinez. Nikola Maksimovic's suspension meant that Matteo Darmian was also forced to play in the back three rather than his usual wing back role.

Milan took the lead against the run of play after a quarter of an hour when Cristian Zaccardo's pass found Stephen El Shaarawy who took a touch before volleying beyond Daniele Padelli.

On the stroke of half time, the home side were reduced to ten men when Zaccardo cynically tripped Cristian Molinaro who was through on goal following Amauri's excellent back heel.

However, the numerical advantage did not last long, as just twelve minutes into the second half Cristian Molinaro was dismissed for upending Marco Van Ginkel in the area. Giampaolo Pazzini stepped up to convert the spot kick, which was his 100th goal in Serie A.

Moments later, El Shaarawy scored his second goal of the game to put the game to bed after nice work by the impressive Van Ginkel.

This was a disappointing showing by an admittedly tired Torino side, who always knew that European qualification was against the odds - but that takes nothing away from what has been an excellent season.

Forza Toro