Torino secured a crucial 2-1 victory over AC Milan at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, further deepening the crisis for the Rossoneri. Following their shock elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Feyenoord, Milan suffered another setback in their Serie A campaign, jeopardising their hopes of securing a top-four finish.
The match began disastrously for the visitors. Torino pressed aggressively from the outset, and it took only a few minutes for them to break the deadlock in fortuitous circumstances. A defensive mix-up led to a misplaced clearance by Maignan, which rebounded off Thiaw and into the Milan net, giving the Granata an early lead. The Rossoneri attempted to respond but struggled to break down a well-organised Torino defence.
Milan had a golden opportunity to equalise when they were awarded a penalty before half-time. Christian Pulisic stepped up to take the spot-kick, but his effort was denied by an excellent save from Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who guessed correctly and dived to his right. The missed opportunity added to Milan’s frustration, and they went into the break trailing by a goal.
In the second half, Milan increased their intensity in search of an equaliser. Their efforts were rewarded in the 74th minute when Tijjani Reijnders found the back of the net with a well-placed finish. The Dutch midfielder received a precise pass on the edge of the box and fired past Milinkovic-Savic, giving Milan hope of salvaging a point. However, their joy was short-lived as Torino responded almost immediately.
Just three minutes later, the hosts restored their lead in what proved to be the decisive moment of the match. A quickly taken free-kick from Antonio Sanabria caught the Milan defence off guard, allowing Gvidas Gineitis, who had just been introduced as a substitute, to slot the ball past Maignan. The Rossoneri defence was left flat-footed, and Torino capitalised on the lapse in concentration to seal the victory.
Despite Milan’s desperate attempts to find another equaliser in the closing stages, Torino held firm, securing all three points. The result sees Ivan Juric’s side climb to 11th place in the standings with 31 points, giving them a crucial boost as they aim for a strong finish to the season. For Milan, however, the defeat leaves them in a precarious position. They remain seventh in the table with 41 points, and their hopes of Champions League qualification are now in serious jeopardy.
The loss extends a worrying run of form for Milan, whose season is unravelling at a crucial juncture. After their disappointing exit from Europe’s elite competition, their domestic struggles continue, raising questions about the direction of the team under head coach Sergio Conceição. With tough fixtures ahead, Milan will need a swift turnaround in performances if they are to salvage their season and remain in contention for a place in next year’s Champions League.
Torino, meanwhile, can take great confidence from this victory. Their disciplined defensive display, combined with clinical finishing, demonstrated their capability to challenge stronger opponents. As the season progresses, they will look to build on this momentum and push for a top-half finish.
Milan’s next challenge will be crucial in determining their fate for the remainder of the campaign. With pressure mounting, the response from the squad and management will be vital in overcoming this difficult period. Torino, on the other hand, will aim to capitalise on their positive form and continue their climb up the table.
