Coppa Italia PREVIEW | Milan vs Torino

Serie A champions Milan lock horns with Torino in the Round of 16 of the Coppa Italia today for a place in the quarter-finals.

Stefano Pioli’s side were left disappointed by the result in their recent league fixture against Roma. Goals from Pierre Kalulu and Tommaso Pobega cushioned the Rossoneri supporters on course to an emphatic win until Jose Mourinho’s Roma started the comeback. A goal from Roger Ibanez and a last-minute thrilling equaliser from English striker Tammy Abraham made the game end in a stalemate leaving the home fans frustrated. 

Following their Coppa Italia roundup against Torino, Pioli’s men regroup themselves for a better league position against Lecce after which they set for Riyadh for a Supercoppa Italiana final against eternal rivals Inter.

Milan will aim to not let another slip-up affect their form as they go raring against the Turin-based side.

On the other hand, Torino snatched a point against Salernitana in their recent Serie A matchup to cement their aim for a finish in the top half of the table. Striker Antonio Sanabria’s goal was cancelled out by Salernitana’s Tonny Vilhena after half-time and that paved the way for an uneventful draw for both sides. 

The recent match between these two teams ended in a 2-1 win for Torino and that will surely give the Granata a psychological edge over their Milanese counterparts. 

Results in the last five matches in all competitions:

Milan:

D W L W L

Torino:

D D W D D

Team News

For Milan, several reserve players are expected to make the starting XI as they have a good run of games in the next few days.

Goalkeeper Mike Maignan, Ante Rebic, Simon Kjaer Rade Krunic and Alessandro Florenzi continue their names on the long-term injury list.

Junior Messias is expected to be fit for the match.

For Torino, Pietro Pellegri and wing-back Ola Aina are unavailable for this match.

Nikola Vlasic has been in top form recently and is expected to start against the Rossoneri. Antonio Sanabria should remain his strike partner in the front.

Predicted XIs

Milan (4-2-3-1): Tatarusanu; Dest, Kalulu, Gabbia, Hernandez; Tonali, Pobega; Saelemaekers, Adli, Leao; De Ketelaere

Torino (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Djidji, Schuurs, Rodriguez; Singo, Ricci, Lukic, Vojvoda; Miranchuk, Vlasic; Sanabria

 

Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN

 

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