In the championship race, AC Milan gently increased the pressure on undisputed leaders Inter. In their 3-2 win against FC Torino, the Rossoneri benefited from two special minutes after the break.
The pressure on Milan had increased in the previous week: After the narrow derby win against Inter, the Rossoneri had failed to add a third win in a row. Instead, coach Max Allegri’s team lost 1-0 at Lazio – and had to deliver against Torino. However, coach Roberto d’Aversa’s team had recently impressed with a 4:1 win against Parma.
In the first 45 minutes, the visitors showed in San Siro that they are a force to be reckoned with. Time and again, Torino played boldly forward. Milan had their problems before a Sunday shot set the course for victory: After a poor clearance by Coco, Pavlovic’s shot from the second row crashed against the bottom edge of the crossbar and from there behind the line (37′).
The visitors, however, did not allow themselves to be rattled by this and continued to attack boldly. With success: A powerful low shot from Vlasic was deflected onto the post by Maignan, but Simeone was in the right-hand corner of the five-yard box and dusted off the ball (44′).
In the dressing room, Allegri had obviously found clear words, because Milan showed a completely different face. Spurred on by the crowd, the Rossoneri exerted great pressure on their opponents. And they were rewarded with a double strike: first, Modric made a strong pass to Pulisic and Rabiot bent the ball into the goal with his thigh (54′), and a minute later, Fofana flicked a pass from joker Athekame into the right-hand corner (55′).
Everything looked set for a home win before Torino got back into the game with a penalty for which Pavlovic was at fault (grabbing Simeone’s face): Vlasic converted superbly from eleven meters into the top right corner after VAR intervention (83′). However, the home side held on for their 18th league win and are currently “only” five points behind Inter, who visit Florence on Sunday evening.