AC MILAN FAILS TO EXTEND THEIR LEAD AT THE SUMMIT OF THE SERIE A TABLE AS THEY WERE HELD TO A GOALESS DRAW WITH TORINO.
Backed by a fiery Stadio Olimpico, hosts Torino put up a mammoth display to condemn AC Milan to a second successive stalemate. Despite the ‘Rossoneri’ extending their unbeaten streak to 12 matches on the trot, the result massively dents their hopes of a first Scudetto title since 2010/11.
It goes without saying that Milan could ill-afford to take their eye off the little shield that potentially awaits them at the end of the season, despite Napoli’s Fiorentina-related frustrations earlier in the day. In what was an impressive start by both teams, Torino crafted the first opening in the shape of Andrea Belotti’s misjudged header that flew wide of the right post.
The visitors registered their first shot on goal from Davide Calabria’s left-footed drive midway through the half, as the captain forced ‘Granata’ shot-stopper Etrit Berisha to skilfully parry it away and keep the scores level. Samuele Ricci then sent a shot buzzing past Milan’s left post after an impressive team move, but that was the last clear-cut chance before HT. Level at the break for just the fourth time at home this season, the hosts perhaps sensed a potential upset against the ‘Rossoneri’, who headed into the dressing room having failed to score in almost three hours of game time.
Ivan Jurić’s side continued to pressurize the visitors on the back foot after the restart. Full-back Mërgim Vojvoda struck an absolute belter of a shot directed towards the top left corner, only to see Maignan leap like a frog to terrifically deny him in the 50th minute. However, it wasn’t long before Milan themselves heightened their intensity heading into the final 20 minutes, with Sandro Tonali’s mazy run and shot an indication of things to come. Having made their intentions known earlier, the visitors could do nothing in the final minutes but bid goodbye to two vital points by virtue of an utterly dismal frontline showing.
The draw sees Torino end their hapless streak of losing six straight H2H encounters, but does little in their fight for a top-half finish. Despite registering a sixth consecutive clean sheet, Stefano Pioli’s men will beat themselves once again for a poor attacking display that could ultimately replicate 2020/21’s mid-season title handover to eternal rivals Inter.
