Torino 0-0 AC Milan: Key Talking Points As The Rossoneri Drop Two Points On The Road

While AC Milan might have managed to add another point to their tally on Sunday night, the Rossoneri put in another toothless display away at a rugged Torino.

Watching Napoli eventually get hit with an action-packed 3-2 defeat against Fiorentina earlier in the day, Stefano Pioli’s side knew that they faced a must-win showdown at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino.

Although the Italian heavyweights might close the weekend still holding a two-point buffer at the top of the table, there is no doubt that Sunday’s meeting in Turin will be considered two points dropped.

In a contest that saw chances come at a real premium, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Sunday’s showdown.

Attacking problems haunt AC again

With bitter local rivals Inter Milan picking up a routine 2-0 victory against Verona at the San Siro on Saturday, AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli had made it clear that his side must find a way to keep themselves in pole position.

However, marking their return from March’s international break with a sluggish 0-0 stalemate against Bologna last weekend, it was very much the same issues for the Rossoneri here.

Despite many across Italy tipping them as a standout pick to make a much-needed return to winning ways, Pioli would have left the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Sunday night feeling like his side missed out on another golden chance.

While AC might have managed to leave Turin with their sixth domestic clean sheet on the spin, their recent struggles in the final third will be a growing concern for the one-time Inter boss.

Although the old saying might go that defensive success wins titles, the Rossoneri have now failed to find the net in back-to-back Serie A appearances, and their attacking options have started to stall at the back end of the season.

Failing to bag more than a single strike in any of their previous seven outings, a run that stems back to February 19th, AC must find a way to kick-start their campaign sooner rather than later.

Torino show their resolve

Only just about managing to keep hold of their Serie A status last season after what was a nightmare campaign in Turin, Torino have been largely praised for the improvements that they have made this year.

However, while the Bulls might still find themselves on a run of form that has seen them pick up just a single Serie A victory since the middle of January, Head Coach Ivan Jurić was filled with praise for his side’s gritty display on Sunday night.

Marking their return from last month’s international break with a welcomed 1-0 victory away at leading relegation scrappers Salernitana, Torino will now be looking to find some stability during the back end of the season.

Asking few questions of the Serie A title contenders here, Torino almost find themselves sat in domestic limbo as they enter the business end of the campaign.

Still six points adrift of breaking into the top-half, Sunday’s hosts also face what is a trick end to the season as the Bulls hope to secure their first top-10 finish since 2019.

Although their 0-0 stalemate here might be the first time that Jurić’s side have picked up back-to-back clean sheets since opening the 2021/22 campaign, they will be next seen making the trip to Lazio.

A Serie A title still hanging in the balance

Watching Napoli eventually get hit with a lively 3-2 defeat against Fiorentina at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium hours before they took to the pitch here, AC will know that they certainly missed out on a golden chance.

While Sunday’s guests might still hold a two-point buffer over their bitter local rivals and defending champions Inter Milan, Pioli’s side do appear to have somewhat stalled at a crucial time of the season.

With their arch-enemies now firmly breathing down their neck, the Rossoneri will know that they must find an urgent boost in the final third if they’re to claim their first Serie A crown since 2011.

With their wait for a scudetti title now stemming back over a decade, AC should at least be smelling the chance to claim a boost before their mouth-watering Coppa Italia semi-final meeting against Inter on April 19th.

Desperate to avoid what many across Italy will be billing as a real banana skin when they return to the San Siro in midweek, Sunday’s guests will be next seen when they host relegation scrappers Genoa.

However, mustering just a pair of shots on target here, the Rossoneri know that they must find their scoring boots with immediate effect if they’re to finally end their wait for another domestic crown.

Match Report:

Torino: Berisha, Zima, Bremer, Rodriguez, Singo, Lukic, Ricci, Vojvoda, Pobega, Brekalo, Belotti

Subs: Seck, Izzo, Alna, Buongiorno, Pellegri

AC Milan: Maignan, Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori, Hernandez, Tonali, Kessie, Dias, Leoa, Saelemaekers

Subs: Krunic, Messlas

Yellow Cards: Torino: Lukic, Pobega – AC Milan: Tomori, Kalulu

Red Cards: N/A