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AC Milan 0 – 0 Torino
Gennaro Gattuso is still working with an injury ravaged squad, Mattia Caldara, Matteo Mussachio, Ivan Strinic, Lucas Biglia, Giacomo Bonaventura are all out with injury. But the player most missed by Milan is centre-back Alessio Romagnoli.
Torino made just one change, Ola Aina coming to replace
Lorenzo De Silvestri on the right hand side and the 22-year-old Chelsea loanee will be hoping to get at Milan left-back Ricardo Rodriguez.
The first-half failed to really ignite for the entire 45 minutes. Gonzalo Higuain and Nicolas Nkoulou tangled time after time, with the Torino defender walking on thin ice just 20 minutes into the game.
The match was fractured by dissent and the brandishing of yellow cards, two a piece for each side, Ignacio Abate and Cristian Zapata for the home side, whilst Armando Izzo joined Nkoulou in the book for Torino.
AC Milan’s young forward Patrick Cutrone worked hard alongside Higuain. His first half stats showing six ball recoveries, but they could not take advantage of the situations to advanced up the field.
Torino were looking to Iago Falque for inspiration if they are to create, and forward Andrea Belotti for the final product. Belotti forced a good save from the Milan keeper, whilst Falque completed eight of his 11 passes attempted in the final third, creating two chances in the process.
Gattuso’s men bombarded the referee in first-half stoppage-time as Higuain continued his fashion of an overzealous attitude. The Argentine striker claimed the ball struck Nkoulous arm in the area and demanded the central defender be shown a second yellow.
The official took to VAR as consultation, and came to the conclusion of a goal kick. The Milan striker was incensed.
Both sides entered the half-time break level, knowing they can both produce more than what was offered in the first-half. The second-half ultimately mirrored the first, 75 minutes hit the clock and there were very few opportunities for either side.
Walter Mazzari opted to throw on Simone Zaza to give some more physicality up top at the expense of Iago Falque, whilst Gattuso introduced Samu Castillejo in place of Hakan Calhanoglu.
Milan’s Spanish winger Suso got the crowd on their feet when he lashed the ball into the side netting, as many believed the ball to be on the correct side of the post.
Cutrone was presented with a golden opportunity to win the game with minutes remaining, some fortuatous work in the box by Milan saw the striker six yards out with just the goalkeeper to beat, but skewed his shot horrible wide.
Frank Kessie continued to drive the team forward late into stoppage time, but there was a clear lack of cohesion between midfield and attack as Torino opted to soak up the pressure in return for a point.
The final whistle blew and Cutrone held his head in his hands, knowing he was one composed finish away from taking all three points for his side, gaining much needed ground on rival Internazionale.
The point consolidates their fourth place position whilst Torino sit in sixth place. AC Milan visit Bologna in nine days time, whilst Torino have the small matter of the Turin derby as they host bitter rivals and league leader Juventus.
