Torino v Milan: Preview

Previous Encounter

These two clubs first met back at the San Siro in November. It was not the most exciting match, but was indicative of what was to come from both sides for the rest of the season.

Milan were in the midst of a terrible run of form, having started the season winless at home up until this fixture. Conversely, Torino had yet to win on their travels, a trend that would continue until a 3-1 victory away to Reggina in early February.

Milan had the majority of the chances in this match, as Torino came prepared to sit back and defend for most of the match. However, all of the possession Milan had was not turned into goals, and this match finished scoreless to continue Milan’s horrid start to the season.

The main culprit for Milan in this match was Alberto Gilardino, who wasted one golden opportunity after another.

A Foretelling of Things to Come

Looking back on this match, you can see that it played a part (at least in some small way) in what was to come from both sides for the rest of 2007 and into 2008.

Torino have spent nearly the entire season in the lower half of the Serie A table, and their goal-scoring record is very poor, with a goal difference of minus-six. While their away form has been terrible, their play at home has not been too good either. Four victories from fourteen home matches, along with seven draws and three defeats (which is actually the exact same home record Milan have), is not something you would expect from a side that surprised everyone last term with their exciting attacking play.

Torino do have a fairly good defensive record, but the lack of goals has been their undoing this season. Their leading goal-scorer on the season is Alessandro Rosina, with a mere six tallies to his credit. The strikers have failed to really do much at all in support of him this term, and he could be looking for a bigger club this summer to give him the quality teammates that would elevate his game.

Milan lost on Wednesday at home to Sampdoria in a shocking 2-1 defeat. Although Kakà had to be substituted in the 10th minute, Milan were already setting yet another dangerous precedent of squandering their opportunities, and their complacency and lack of focus is what ultimately doomed them in this match.

With Fiorentina having lost on Wednesday, 2-0 away to Napoli, Milan had a great chance to re-establish the one-point gap between them and Fiorentina. Having not seized the ability to do so, they still lay four points adrift of fourth place, which is the final Champions League qualification spot. With only nine matches remaining for the season, things are beginning to look grim for the Rossoneri.

Failure to qualify for the Champions League would surely be the final go-around for Carlo Ancelotti as Milan manager, and would also bring about certain changes in the squad, with many of the current players having to find employment elsewhere.

FORM GUIDE (last five fixtures)

Torino

2/26     Juventus 0-0 Torino                  Serie A

3/2       Sampdoria 2-2 Torino              Serie A

3/9       Torino 1-0 Atalanta                  Serie A

3/16     Cagliari 3-0 Torino                   Serie A

3/19     Torino 0-1 Udinese                  Serie A

Milan

3/1       Milan 1-1 Lazio                        Serie A

3/4       Milan 0-2 Arsenal                     UEFA Champions League

3/9       Empoli 1-3 Milan                      Serie A

3/15     Roma 2-1 Milan                       Serie A

3/19     Milan 1-2 Sampdoria                Serie A

TEAM NEWS

Torino

Torino will be missing the injured trio of Marco Pisano, Gianluca Comotto and Matteo Sereni, the latter two being substituted during the 1-0 loss to Udinese on Wednesday.

Milan

Milan are without the services of Serginho and Cafu, and Ronaldo is out for the rest of the season. Filippo Inzaghi is still recovering from a hernia problem. Kakà will not be fit for this match, after leaving the pitch after the first ten minutes on Wednesday.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Alessandro Rosina (Torino) – He has been Torino’s best player this season, and will definitely be instrumental in any positive result for Toro in this match.

Clarence Seedorf (Milan) – With Kakà injured, Seedorf will now pull the strings in attack. With so many of the squad members struggling at this point, he must be at his absolute best.

POSSIBLE STARTING XI’s

Torino (4-3-3): Fontana; Motta, Di Loreto, Natali, Lanna; Diana, Grella, Barone; Di Michele, Stellone, Rosina

Milan (4-3-1-2): Kalac; Oddo, Nesta, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf; Pato, Gilardino