Serie A Week 20 – 16 Jan 2017 (19.45 UK)
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Milan’s midweek Coppa Italia victory over Torino will have deflated the Granata’s confidence, but things could be very different on Monday evening.
With so much expected of Il Toro this season, we have been given so little. Iago Falque and Andrea Bellotti’s blistering form has continued, but with below-par midfielders and a Kamil Glik-shaped hole at the back. Roma flop Juan Manuel Iturbe’s arrival has merely confused fans and pundits. As there is yet to be an even credible rumour surrounding the signing of a new centre-back, Torino seem destined for a season of mid-table obscurity.
However, after being sacked by Milan in April and elimination from the Coppa Italia by the same side on Thursday, Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has more than one good reason to want revenge. With an all-attacking mindset, a foolhardy approach from Serie A’s former free-kick king would not be unexpected, but pressing high and hard enough could put Milan off-balance and deliver a shock victory.
As Toro’s attack is the only area of the squad yet to be hit by mid-season misery and have taken Fiorentina’s role as Serie A’s ‘all-or-nothing’ club, Mihajlovic must channel Zdenek Zeman to stand a chance.
Milan, on the other hand, are yet to wane in what has been an unexpected, yet delightfully nostalgic shock. The red and black striped shirts may not be worn by the likes of Andriy Shevchenko, Kaka and Andrea Pirlo anymore, but Manuel Locatelli, Jack Bonaventura and Suso have still managed to win the hearts of Milanisti with consistently high levels of performance. Last month’s deserved Supercoppa victory over Juventus showed what the Diavolo are capable of, and a return to the Champions League remains possible, but victories against sides like Torino are needed to keep up with Roma and Napoli.
Afriyie Acquah is at the Africa Cup of Nations, but Iago Falque and Leandro Castan are hoping to recover in time to feature.
Carlos Bacca, M’Baye Niang, Mario Pasalic, Manuel Locatelli and Alessio Romagnoli should return, having been rested for the Coppa Italia encounter.
Keep an eye on: Juan Manuel Iturbe (Torino) – Although the moderate success of Hellas Verona may seem a distant memory, the Gialloblu were one of Serie A’s most entertaining sides, largely down to Luca Toni and Torino’s newest acquisition. The Paraguay winger may have been a big money flop for Roma, but at a club like Torino where attacking comes first, the former Porto man has everything he needs to return to form.
Form Guide: Torino (D W L L L) Milan (W D L W D)
Last season: Torino 1-1 Milan
Stat Fact: Torino haven’t beaten Milan since November 2001, where an early Cristiano Lucarelli goal settled it at 1-0. It was followed by 12 defeats and seven draws, home and away in all competition.
Top Tip: Both teams to score
Torino (probable): Hart; Zappacosta, Rossettini, Moretti, Barreca; Benassi, Valdifiori, Obi; Iturbe, Belotti, Ljajic
Suspended: None
Milan (probable): Donnarumma; De Sciglio, Paletta, Romagnoli, Antonelli; Pasalic, Locatelli, Bonaventura; Suso, Bacca, Niang
Suspended: None
Prediction: Draw
