AC Milan faced Torino tonight at the San Siro stadium in view of matchday 17 of Serie A. The Rossoneri team was looking to bounce back after a loss against Juventus 1-3 on Wednesday. This game marks the return of Ibrahimovic as he sat on the bench after an injury that kept him out for more than a month.
The match starts with the following lineup: (4-2-3-1) Donnarumma; Calabria, Kjaer, Romagnoli, Theo; Kessie, Tonali; Castillejo, Brahim, Hauge; Leao.
The challenge began with Milan players pressing and Torino trying to defend in their own half of the pitch. There were only attempts from Milan and until the 25th minute, an attack is launched by Theo Hernandez as he sprints from the left flank towards the middle and gives the ball to Diaz who gives a very smart one-touch assist to Leao as he finds himself in front of Sirigu and scores it easily.
At the 32nd minute, Belotti stops Diaz in the penalty zone, the Spaniard Rossonero player is brought down and referee reviews VAR then rightfully awards a penalty which Franck Kessié converts and it is his sixth goal this season. Score is 2-0. The Rossoneri looked comfortable in the lead until the end of the first half.
Start of the second half is similar to the first, Milan looked in control. Shortly after the start, the referee awards Torino a penalty which is later taken away thanks to the intervention of VAR. It was right as Tonali had done nothing wrong in the contact and actually got injured in the process. Pioli makes Dalot take over Tonali in the 54th minute. The Mancheser United loanee takes the right-back position while Calabria moved to be Kessié's partner in midfield like in the game against Juventus.
Torino then starts to push forward but Milan held their own as they were not too pressured: the defense was well present and Gigio was focused to not let any balls in.
The 85th minute marks Zlatan Ibrahimovic's much awaited return. The veteran Swede champion finally sees the pitch again for a few minutes. Hopefully, he will be ready for the next games.
AC Milan tonight did well tactically and despite the absences, the squad did manage to deliver a convincing win. The Rossoneri enjoy a crucial well-earned three points. Pioli's men confirm their qualities and determination once again.
