Torino 2-1 AC Milan: Late Belotti brace increases the pressure on Giampaolo

Andrea Belotti scored twice as Torino came from behind to beat AC Milan 2-1, increasing the pressure on visiting coach Marco Giampaolo.

Published : Sep 27, 2019 08:10 IST

Torino striker Andrea Belotti has scored in six of his last seven home games in Serie A, netting nine goals in that period.
Torino striker Andrea Belotti has scored in six of his last seven home games in Serie A, netting nine goals in that period.
lightbox-info

Torino striker Andrea Belotti has scored in six of his last seven home games in Serie A, netting nine goals in that period.

AC Milan failed to bounce back from its derby defeat to Inter , as Andrea Belotti's late brace secured Torino a 2-1 win on Thursday.

Milan coach Marco Giampaolo was left fielding questions about whether he felt "at risk" of the sack following the Inter loss, and his side's inability to hold on to its lead in Turin will likely increase the uncertainty after just two wins from five in Serie A.

The visitor began the entertaining contest well enough and was good value for the lead when Krzysztof Piatek dispatched a first-half penalty, but it was made to rue not adding to that.

READ | FIFA medical chairman confirms concussion substitute discussions

Belotti levelled for a resurgent Torino deep into the second half and then got the winner four minutes later, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma failing to cover himself in glory for either.

Milan's start gave every indication the breakthrough would come from it and it opened the scoring 18 minutes in – Piatek coolly converting from 12 yards after Lorenzo De Silvestri nudged over Rafael Leao in the box.

Torino twice had to rely on Salvatore Sirigu to remain only one behind shortly after, the goalkeeper tipping Leao's looping header over before stopping Hakan Calhanoglu's long-range effort.

Donnarumma's decision to charge out of his box just before the interval allowed Torino the chance to level, but Belotti shot over the open goal.

Piatek nearly took full advantage early in the second half when steering agonisingly wide from 10 yards, though Torino soon became the more threatening side.

Torino's pressure eventually told 18 minutes from time, as Belotti cut in from the left and unleashed a fierce drive that found the net despite Donnarumma getting a hand to it.

ALSO READ |  FIFA chief Infantino urges action after racist abuse halts Serie A game

Belotti completed the turnaround a few moments later, inadvertently flicking the ball up for himself and then acrobatically netting from close range after Simone Zaza's effort was parried by Donnarumma.

Milan twice might have equalised in stoppage time, but Franck Kessie inexplicably blazed over from six yards, before Sirigu pulled off a point-blank save to keep out Piatek's header.

What does it mean? Milan failed to hold its nerve

After last Saturday's derby disappointment, which led to Giampaolo answering some uncomfortable questions about job security, it was important for Milan to get back on track as soon as possible.

It handled the first half well – aside from some disappointing finishing – and then fell apart after the break, its form in front of goal costing it again in the final stages. Defeat leaves Milan 13th with six points.

Belotti rewarded for his persistence

It is fair to say Torino fans might have expected more from Belotti in the first half, particularly after that bad miss when Donnarumma went AWOL. However, he more than made up for his mishaps in the second period, netting twice to win the game and take the host up to sixth.

Donnarumma fortunate

Despite letting two goals in at the weekend, Donnarumma was impressive in the derby. The same could not be said this time around. He was unconvincing for both Torino goals, while a moment of madness at the end of the first half should have been punished.

Key Opta stats

- This was the first time since 1942 that Torino has come from behind to beat Milan in Serie A.

- Belotti has scored in six of his last seven home games in Serie A, netting nine goals in that period.

- Milan has conceded two goals in back-to-back Serie A matches for the first time since March 2018.

- Milan midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura made his first league appearance for 340 days when he came off the bench midway through the second half, as he returned from a serious knee injury.

What's next?

Milan returns to San Siro on Sunday for the visit of a Fiorentina side which has underwhelmed in the early stages of the season, while Torino is at Parma 24 hours later.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment