AC Milan’s Turbulent Week
ROME (AP) — AC Milan’s turbulent week reached a new low on Saturday as the club suffered a 2-1 loss to Torino in Serie A, just four days after being eliminated from the Champions League. The match at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino was a litany of errors that compounded Milan’s growing crisis. The nightmare began early for Milan, with Malick Thiaw’s own goal just five minutes into the game. Thiaw’s clearance, which came after a pass from Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, deflected off his own teammate and into the net, giving Torino an unexpected lead.
The Penalties and the Panic
The panic set in further when United States international Christian Pulisic missed a penalty kick, a rare mishap in his career. Torino goalkeeper Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who has been in brilliant form this season, lunged to his right and saved the American’s low spot kick. This marked the first time Pulisic had missed a penalty, adding to the mounting pressure on the Milan side. Milinkovic-Savic’s stellar performance was not a fluke; he has saved four out of five penalties this season, establishing himself as one of the league’s most formidable goalkeepers.
A Brief Respite
Milan’s fortunes seemed to improve when Joao Felix’s shot hit the post, and the Rossoneri finally found an equalizer in the 74th minute through a shot from Tijjani Reijnders. The goal provided a momentary respite, but the relief was short-lived. Just two minutes later, Torino reclaimed the lead with a quick, well-executed shot from Gvidas Gineitis following a free kick. The free kick seemed to catch Milan off guard, and the speed and precision of Gineitis’ shot left Maignan with little chance.
League Implications
The loss left Milan stranded in seventh place, a far cry from their aspirations of challenging for the title. Torino, on the other hand, moved up to 11th place, a testament to their growing confidence and form. Milan’s recent setbacks, including their Champions League elimination by Feyenoord on a 2-1 aggregate, have raised serious questions about the team’s direction and management. The club, which has a rich history of success, now faces a critical period as they attempt to steady the ship and regain their footing in Serie A.
Inter Milan’s Opportunity
In the meantime, defending champion Inter Milan had a chance to capitalize on Milan’s misfortunes. Inter faced Genoa at the San Siro with the opportunity to move ahead of Napoli and claim the Serie A lead. The stakes were high, and the result of this match could have significant implications for the league standings and the title race. Inter’s performance and outcome would be closely watched by fans and pundits alike.
Other League Highlights
Elsewhere in Serie A, there were other notable performances. Parma’s new coach, Cristian Chivu, made a successful debut with a 2-0 win over regional rival Bologna. The victory provided a boost to Parma’s morale and set a positive tone for the rest of the season. In contrast, fourth-place Lazio was held to a 0-0 draw at relegation-threatened Venezia. The draw was a disappointment for Lazio, who will need to find their rhythm quickly if they are to maintain their position in the top four. As the season progresses, these results will shape the league’s landscape and determine the fate of many teams.
