Torino vs AC Milan Prediction & Preview: Two struggling sides could cancel each other out

Neither Torino nor AC Milan will be satisfied with the start that they’ve made to the season, and the pair meet at Stadio Grande Torino on Thursday night. 

Marco Giampaolo is already under pressure, and he needs his side to bounce back from their defeat in the Milan derby.

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Torino vs AC Milan Preview – 26/09/19: Serie A

Despite making a blistering start to the campaign, Torino have struggled over the last fortnight, and perhaps their early-season exertions in the Europa League could be blamed for their current malaise. Walter Mazzari’s side do score goals, but they’ve been conceding some sloppy ones lately. However, of more concern is their failure to create chances against Sampdoria at the weekend, and that is something that needs to be address imminently.

They have a decent enough record in this fixture, and arrive here unbeaten in each of the last five encounters with Milan.

Marco Giampaolo was expected to revolutionise AC Milan this season, yet that hasn’t quite gone according to plan so far. They’ve barely registered a shot on target this season, and their only two victories have been against newly-promoted sides. Each of those two wins ended 1-0, and they were less than impressive in both encounters.

The fans are beginning to become a little impatient and Saturday’s defeat to rivals Inter did not help endear him to the fans. On a positive note, rumours continue to Giacomo Bonaventura’s return to first-team action is on the horizon, and although he may be used sparingly at first, he could grab a place on the bench for this tie.

 

AC Milan could unleash their summer signings

One of the main criticisms of Giampaolo is that he’s failed to introduce many of Milan’s summer signings so far this season. Rafael Leao played at the weekend, and was one of the better performers in the side – the former Lille man is likely to continue his stint in the XI. Elsewhere, Theo Hernandez could also be given a start in this one whilst Algerian Ismael Bennacer is likely to play some part.

Finally, Ante Rebic could be ready to play for AC Milan. He looks likely to replace the stricken Lucas Paqueta up top, and it’ll be interesting to see how he links up with Krzysztof Piatek in his first appearance.

 

It may take something special to win this game!

With neither side full of confidence, this may not be much of a spectacle. There could be some early nervy moments, and plenty of misplaced passes. However, one moment of magic could unlock the opposition defence, and there are a number of players on the pitch who can provide that.

Andre Belotti has been scoring this season for Torino, whilst former Milan-trainee Simone Verdi is hugely capable, and a set-piece specialist. It may come down to the Granata’s star-performers to unlock the AC Milan defence.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the winning goal come from a set-piece or from the penalty spot in this game.

 

Belotti could be the difference maker

It’s been a long season already for the Granata, and Torino did look jaded at times against Sampdoria this weekend. Playing on the Thursday is something that they become accustomed to, and the four-day break may help their cause.

Andrea Belotti has played a lot of football already this season, and he is seldom off the score-sheet at Stadio Grande Torino. He has netted six times at this stadium already, and has notched in every single home match for his side.

 

Torino vs AC Milan Prediction

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Read More: See the rest of this week’s football match previews from the Serie A matches.

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