A thrilling second-half performance sees Milan close the gap on Serie A leaders Inter Milan.
Category: Sports
MILAN — AC Milan showcased a remarkable turnaround on Saturday, March 21, 2026, clinching a 3-2 victory over Torino at the iconic San Siro. This win not only trimmed the gap to Serie A leaders Inter Milan to six points but also secured Milan's position back into second place, just a point above Napoli.
After a sluggish first half, the Rossoneri came alive, scoring two goals within two minutes to seal the match against a resilient Torino side. The game kicked off at 18:00 CET, with both teams eager to capitalize on their respective situations. Milan, feeling pressure from the standings, was without key players Rafael Leao, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Matteo Gabbia, making their victory all the more impressive.
Torino, revitalized under new coach Roberto D'Aversa, started strong and dominated the first half. They had the upper hand, enjoying 36.8% possession compared to Milan's 63.2% and taking 18 shots to Milan's 15. Yet, it was Milan who struck first. Defender Strahinja Pavlovic scored a stunning goal from outside the box at the 37th minute, a half-volley that soared past Torino goalkeeper Alberto Paleari, hitting the crossbar before nestling into the net.
Just when it seemed Milan would take control, Giovanni Simeone leveled for Torino shortly before halftime, silencing the home crowd. The equalizer came after a scramble inside the box, with Simeone tapping the ball into the net after a rebound, leaving the score tied at 1-1.
Coach Massimiliano Allegri's halftime words had a clear effect, transforming Milan's performance. The second half saw a different side of Milan, who quickly restored their lead. Adrien Rabiot netted the second goal for Milan at the 54th minute, converting a cross from Christian Pulisic with his knee. Just two minutes later, Youssouf Fofana extended the lead to 3-1, finishing decisively after receiving a pass from Zachary Athekame.
With Milan seemingly cruising to victory, the match took a dramatic turn when Nikola Vlasic scored a penalty for Torino at the 84th minute. The penalty was awarded after Pavlovic was adjudged to have fouled Simeone, leading to a VAR review that confirmed the decision. Vlasic made no mistake from the spot, cutting Milan's lead to 3-2 and setting up a nervy finale.
The closing moments of the match were tense, with Torino pushing for an equalizer. Milan's defense held strong, with goalkeeper Mike Maignan making several key saves to preserve the lead. Maignan finished the match with five saves, proving instrumental to Milan's success.
Statistically, Milan's performance was solid, with a pass accuracy of 88.8% from a total of 565 passes. They committed nine fouls and received three yellow cards, compared to Torino's ten fouls and one yellow card. Torino's aggressive approach was evident, registering 18 shots, seven of which were on target.
This victory marks a pivotal moment for AC Milan, who had recently dropped closer to fifth place following a defeat to Lazio. With the win, they reignited their Scudetto aspirations, showing resilience and determination on the field.
Meanwhile, Torino's new coach D'Aversa will be encouraged by his team's performance, particularly their strong first-half display. The match was a showcase of tactical adjustments and determination from both sides, highlighting the competitive nature of Serie A.
The Rossoneri's next challenge will be to maintain this momentum against upcoming opponents, with eyes firmly set on closing the gap with Inter Milan. The Serie A title race remains tight, and with teams like Napoli and Juventus also vying for top positions, every point counts.
Fans at San Siro celebrated a much-needed victory, and with Santiago Gimenez making his long-awaited return to the bench after 144 days out with an ankle injury, there’s hope for even more depth and strength for Milan moving forward. The team will need every bit of support and skill to navigate the remainder of the season, especially with the pressure mounting from rivals.
With the Serie A season entering its final stretch, expect more thrilling encounters like this one, where every match is a battle for glory.