Serie A
Torino 1-2 AC Milan: late Adams strike sinks hosts in season opener
A late consolation from Cameron Adams gave Torino hope, but AC Milan's early second-half brace proved decisive at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino.
AC Milan got their Serie A campaign off to a winning start with a dramatic late victory over Torino at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. The match, refereed by Luca Zufferli, was played on a sweltering evening in Turin and delivered a thrilling finish after a cagey opening period.
The first half was defined by tactical discipline and few clear-cut chances. Both coaches — Ignazio Abate for Torino and Ruben Amorim for AC Milan — deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation, leading to a tightly contested midfield battle. Despite several long-range efforts, neither side managed to break the deadlock before the break, leaving the score level at 0-0 heading into halftime.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 64th minute when AC Milan's A. Cisse found the net, capitalizing on a precise assist from teammate A. Rabiot. The goal gave Milan a timely lead as they looked to assert control in the closing stages of the match.
Just two minutes later, AC Milan doubled their advantage. This time, S. Chukwueze provided the assist for a strike from A. Rabiot, who slotted the ball home confidently. The quickfire brace shifted momentum firmly in favor of the visitors and left Torino searching for a response.
Torino pulled one back in dramatic fashion in the third minute of stoppage time. C. Adams, playing for the home side, scored with an assist from G. Gineitis, sending the home crowd into raptures in the dying moments of the game. While the goal provided a memorable ending for the fans, it wasn't enough to secure a point.
The result leaves Torino without any points from their opening fixture, sitting 15th in the Serie A table. AC Milan, meanwhile, climbed to fourth place with three points on the board after matchday one.
Defensively, both teams struggled to contain the pace and movement on offer, particularly in the final third. Torino’s backline was repeatedly caught out by Milan’s fluid attacking transitions, while their own attempts to counter often fell short against a resolute Milan defense.
In midfield, the duels were evenly contested, with neither side able to establish sustained dominance. However, it was Milan who managed to convert their rare opportunities into goals, making the most of their limited chances.
Looking ahead, Torino will need to regroup quickly ahead of their next fixture if they hope to climb out of the relegation zone. For AC Milan, this victory provides a solid foundation to build upon as they aim for a top-four finish this season.