Leao Sidelined: Fullkrug and Pulisic Lead Milan's Charge Against Revitalised Torino
AC Milan face Torino at San Siro without injured star Rafael Leao, with Niclas Fullkrug partnering Christian Pulisic up front in Massimiliano Allegri's 3-5-2. The Rossoneri sit third in Serie A, two points behind Napoli with a game in hand, as Allegri warns of Torino's counter-attacking threat. Probable lineups and key returns like Adrien Rabiot set the stage for a crucial clash.
Leao Out, Fullkrug In: Milan's Injury Headache Ahead of Torino Clash
Picture this: AC Milan riding high after humbling Inter in the Derby della Madonnina, only to stumble at Lazio and now staring down a gritty Torino side at the San Siro. Kick-off's at 18:00 CET (17:00 GMT), and with Rafael Leao nursing an adductor twinge, boss Massimiliano Allegri is shuffling the pack. No tantrums from the Portuguese speedster this time – he's out for a couple of weeks, missing Portugal duty too.
Niclas Fullkrug, the burly West Ham loanee, steps up alongside Christian Pulisic up top. As Susy Campanale noted at Football Italia, it's a shift from Leao's silky runs to Fullkrug's hold-up play – Milan better start pinging in those crosses, lads.
Lineups Locked In: Who's Starting and Who's Sitting
Allegri's plumping for a 3-5-2: Maignan in goal; Tomori, De Winter, Pavlovic at the back; wing-backs Saelemaekers and Bartesaghi; midfield engine room of Fofana, Modric, and returning suspension-skipper Rabiot. Up front, Fullkrug and Pulisic to terrorise Torino.
The Granata, under new gaffer Roberto D’Aversa, counter with 3-4-1-2: Paleari guarding the sticks; Coco, Ismajli, Ebosse defending; Pedersen, Gineitis, Prati, Obrador in midfield; Vlasic pulling strings; Simeone and Scotland's Ché Adams leading the line. Torino miss Aboukhlal and Njie, but they're no mugs – solid at the back and lethal on the break.
Milan's absentee list is grim: Loftus-Cheek, Gabbia, and now Leao. Good news? Santiago Gimenez is back on the bench after months out, and Luka Modric – still class at 40 – gets the nod. Allegri raved about the Croat: "Tough to see another like him."
Allegri's Warning: 'Torino Are No Pushovers'
The Milan boss isn't mincing words. "We've had a weird few weeks," he told DAZN Italia, per Sam Wilson at Football Italia. From Scudetto hopefuls to sniffing around fifth, they need a bounce-back. "Torino are defensively strong, win second balls, and hit you on the counter. We must stay sharp."
On Leao's injury – reported mild by Gazzetta and Sky – Allegri played it safe: "Twinge in training, chatted with him, no risks. He'll recover properly." Fullkrug? "Different beast to Leao. Rafa moved well as a No.9 but lacked service. Niccy's built for it."
Lorenzo Bettoni from Football Italia highlighted Rabiot's return and Fofana edging Ricci in midfield. With Napoli edging ahead 1-0 at Cagliari, Milan sit third, two points off top but with a game in hand. Pressure's on.
Stakes High in the San Siro Showdown
Tune in via DAZN (UK/Ireland) or Paramount+ (USA). This one's got bite – Milan's attack rejigged, Torino buoyant. Can Pulisic and Fullkrug click? Will Modric magic it? Or do Adams and Simeone nick it on the break?
It's pub banter gold: Milan's stars misfiring or Torino pulling off the upset? As OneFootball chimed in, expect fireworks. Rossoneri, don't bottle it.
(Word count: 512)