Serie A: Torino Vs AC Milan – Match preview

Chasing their first title since 2010/11, ‘I Rossoneri’ will now try to extend their eight-match unbeaten run in Serie A away matches.

Torino

Mid-table Torino’s 1-0 win over Salernitana finally ended their eight-match winless run in Serie A, keeping their chances of a top-half finish alive for now. In a sign that things might be changing for the better, they also earned their first penalty of the season – although captain Andrea Belotti needed two attempts to bury it! Even though Torino have scored first in three of their last four home league matches, they’ve ended up winning none of them so even a fast start here brings no guarantee of success for ‘Il Toro’. Now also on their longest winless home league run since last March, that’s an ominous form for a side who’ve lost each of their last six H2Hs anywhere against AC Milan, including a 7-0 hammering here last term.

AC Milan

Despite registering 33 attempts at goal, Milan drew 0-0 with Bologna on Monday, missing the chance to consolidate their lead atop the standings despite stretching their unbeaten run to 11 matches with their fifth consecutive clean sheet. After that wasteful display, manager Stefano Pioli bemoaned a “lack of quality” and predicted, “it will be a difficult season until the end”. Chasing their first title since 2010/11, ‘I Rossoneri’ will now try to extend their eight-match unbeaten run in Serie A away matches. With just one of their last eight goals in the league away matches coming before half-time, a quick start against a side who’ve already drawn with Inter Milan and Juventus this calendar year seems unlikely.

Belotti has scored three of Torino’s last four league goals, whilst four of his five Serie A strikes this term have come after the 50th minute. Milan’s Theo Hernandez scored twice in the H2H here last season and three of his four Serie A goals this term have come away from home. Torino have trailed at half-time in just two home league games this season.