AC Milan kept their Serie A title hopes alive with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Torino at San Siro on Saturday, cutting the gap to leaders Inter to five points and moving back into second place.
Torino made the brighter start and asked early questions of the Milan defence, with Mike Maignan forced into an important save to keep the visitors out. But after a sluggish opening spell, the Rossoneri found their rhythm as half-time approached.
The breakthrough arrived in the 37th minute when Strahinja Pavlovic unleashed a stunning long-range effort that flew in off the underside of the bar to put Milan ahead. Torino, however, responded well and deservedly drew level on the stroke of half-time. Nikola Vlasic’s effort came back off the post, and Giovanni Simeone was quickest to react as he turned in the rebound for his eighth league goal of the season.
Milan came out with greater purpose after the break and regained the lead in the 54th minute. Christian Pulisic supplied the delivery across the goal, and Adrien Rabiot bundled the ball home from close range. Just two minutes later, the hosts struck again as Youssouf Fofana took advantage of hesitant defending to make it 3-1, with Torino goalkeeper Alberto Paleari unable to keep the effort out.
Torino refused to go away and gave themselves hope late on. After a VAR review, Pavlovic was penalised for a foul on Simeone inside the area, and Vlasic calmly converted from the spot to reduce the deficit to 3-2. Milan were made to work in the closing stages, but they held firm to secure a valuable three points.
The result leaves Massimiliano Allegri’s side still firmly in the title conversation with eight matches remaining, while Torino stay 14th and continue their poor away run in the league. Milan’s next test comes after the international break away to Napoli, with Torino looking to bounce back in their own push for safety.
