By way of outcomes, AC Milan’s U.S. tour was impeccable. They beat English Premier League powerhouse Manchester Metropolis earlier than doing the identical towards LaLiga giants Actual Madrid and Barcelona. However, with a minute remaining from the common 90, Milan was in peril of dropping to Torino within the Serie A opener.
A win for the Turin aspect would’ve been their first in San Siro towards AC Milan in league play since 1985, however Paulo Fonseca’s well timed substitutions secured a degree for final season’s runners-up.
Supersubs for Milan towards Torino
In hindsight, the sport’s two largest turning factors concerned European champion Alvaro Morata. On his return to Serie A soccer, the Spaniard practically leveled the rating earlier than a late intervention by Torino’s heroic debutant Saul Coco.
Duvan Zapata doubled the lead for the guests moments later, however Morata, one in all Fonseca’s first three substitutes, had a second chew of the cherry earlier than Noah Okafor salvaged the purpose with a Ninety fifth-minute strike. As anticipated, Christian Pulisic performed in an attacking midfield function.
Curiously, all 5 modifications by the previous LOSC Lille coach impacted the late foray. Tijani Reijnders and Yunus Musah assisted the targets for the placing duo. It’d have been fairly sensational had Theo Hernandez, who dropped to the bench in favor of Alexis Saelemaekers, grabbed a winner with a robust hit. Ali Dembele prevented additional injury for Torino.
For comparability, Milan solely prevented defeat in half of the video games they went behind final season underneath Stefano Pioli. Swiss worldwide Okafor additionally had 5 targets off the bench within the 2023/24 marketing campaign, which was just one in need of the league’s finest and Empoli’s lifesaver, M’Baye Niang.
Memorable Musah cameo
Particular appreciation will even be reserved for a USMNT midfielder. However not for the standard suspect. Pulisic had a few nice possibilities to open his tally earlier than exiting the pitch by a fellow American. Musah’s entrance galvanized Milan’s try at getting again into the sport.
Musah concerned himself in seven pictures taking part in just for 35 minutes. With Youssouf Fofana becoming a member of Milan’s midfield, Musah has to show his price to the brand new coach.
Musah dominantly performed from the best flank, a place he needed to fill on a number of events final season. Earlier in the summertime, Milan declined presents for his or her midfielder. Musah tied with Milan till 2028 and this look might be a springboard.
What’s subsequent for the groups?
AC Milan’s subsequent Serie A fixture is anticipated to write down a brand new chapter. Their recreation towards Parma, who drew with Fiorentina on Saturday, would be the first Serie A fixture on CBS tv. It may immediate a possible report viewers for the league on this area.
Torino’s subsequent recreation will see Zapata reunited together with his former Atalanta teammates. The final time the 2 golf equipment met, the Colombian striker obtained a wine as a present from the followers of the Europa League champions.
Earlier within the day, each groups accomplished transfers. Milan’s new midfielder Fofana and Borna Sosa, who changed Ricardo Rodriguez at Torino, will seemingly debut towards Parma and Atalanta, respectively.
PHOTOS: IMAGO
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