AC Milan begin a new era under Ruben Amorim as they travel to face Torino in their opening Serie A fixture.
Torino have set several key objectives for the upcoming season and have entrusted former AC Milan defender Ignazio Abate with achieving them. The new manager will take charge of his first Serie A match against his former club, and a victory would make for a memorable, if bittersweet, occasion.
The Turin side will aim to improve on last season’s 12th-place finish and may believe they can challenge for a European place. After enjoying a productive transfer window, with a particular focus on strengthening their defence, Torino will be optimistic about their chances of making a strong start against Milan.
AC Milan are also under new management, with former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim now in charge. The Rossoneri have undergone significant squad changes during the transfer window, and their players have shown encouraging signs of adapting to the new manager’s methods.
Their biggest breakthrough came in a recent friendly against Manchester United, where Amorim’s attacking ideas were clearly visible and well executed. However, there will be pressure from the opening game, as the San Siro faithful will expect a title challenge as the minimum objective.
Milan have also made some smart additions, particularly with the arrival of former Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos. However, several players are still looking to leave and may not feature in the opening game of the season. Qualification for the Champions League is a non-negotiable objective, while Amorim will also want to challenge for the Scudetto and make an early statement of intent.
Team News & Tactics
Torino
Torino enter the opening fixture with a relatively clean bill of health. Abate will be without goalkeeper Franco Israel, who remains a long-term absentee with a shoulder problem.
Pietro Pellegri is also sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury, while Duván Zapata is doubtful because of a knee problem. Marcus Pedersen could return after recovering from a muscular issue.
Abate is widely expected to use a back three, with Pietro Comuzzo, Saúl Coco and Eray Cömert likely to feature in central defence. Torino will look to stay compact and frustrate Milan in the early stages.
Pedersen and Alessio Cacciamani should operate in the wing-back roles, while Gvidas Gineitis and Kian Fitz-Jim are expected to feature in midfield. Giovanni Simeone will lead the line, with Nikola Vlasic and Alieu Njie providing support in attack.
Probable Line-up (3-4-2-1) – Mascardi; Comuzzo, Coco, Cömert; Pedersen, Gineitis, Fitz-Jim, Cacciamani; Njie, Vlasic; Simeone
AC Milan
AC Milan also have several selection concerns ahead of the opening fixture. Fikayo Tomori and Youssouf Fofana are reportedly out of favour, while Christopher Nkunku, Christian Pulisic and Santiago Gimenez are unavailable.
Mario Gila is expected to move straight into the three-man defence alongside Koni De Winter and Strahinja Pavlovic. Christian Pulisic has returned to training but is not expected to be ready, while Rafael Leao is also a major doubt after suffering a muscle strain.
Samuel Chukwueze, who has returned from his loan spell at Fulham, could operate as the right wing-back, with Pervis Estupiñán likely to feature on the opposite flank. Milan’s wide players will be important to Amorim’s system, particularly when they look to stretch Torino’s back line.
Based on their pre-season usage, Amorim is expected to select Samuele Ricci and Luka Modric in midfield. However, amid transfer speculation surrounding Ricci, Yunus Musah could start if the manager decides not to select him. Alphadjo Cisse could partner Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the attacking roles, while new signing Ramos is expected to lead the line.
Probable Line-up (3-4-2-1) – Maignan; Gila, De Winter, Pavlovic; Chukwueze, Modric, Musah, Estupinan; Loftus-Cheek, Davies; Ramos
Key Stats
- Both teams have scored in each of the last six Serie A meetings between Torino and AC Milan.
- This will be the first Serie A match managed by both Abate and Amorim.
- Milan have won their last two matches against Torino.
- The last six Serie A meetings between Torino and Milan have produced 26 goals.
Player to Watch
Goncalo Ramos
Goncalo Ramos is one of Milan’s most exciting signings and could become one of the standout arrivals in Serie A this summer. The Portuguese forward has swapped the trophy-filled period of his career at Paris Saint-Germain for an ambitious new project at Milan.Amorim will be delighted to have Ramos leading the attack, as the striker is expected to play a central role in the manager’s plans.
His movement, pressing and finishing should suit the demands of Amorim’s system. Ramos will be eager to begin his Milan career with a goal, and there may not be a better opportunity than an away trip to Torino. He is likely to be the main concern for the hosts, with all eyes on the former PSG striker as he looks to make an immediate impact in Italy.
Prediction
Torino 1-2 AC Milan
Torino are still adapting to Abate’s ideas, while the former Milan defender is preparing for his first Serie A match as a manager. That makes it difficult to back the hosts, although home advantage could help them cause problems.
Milan produced a convincing performance against Manchester United in pre-season, but Amorim still has a few weaknesses to address. Torino could score, but Milan’s attacking quality should be enough to secure three points and give Amorim a winning start to life in Serie A.
