Turin emerged victorious with a score of 2-1 over AC Milan on February 22, 2025, at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, delivering the Rossoneri another blow after their recent Champions League elimination. The hosts capitalized on early misfortunes from Milan, who have faced difficulties this season.
The match kicked off with high stakes for both sides. Torino was desperate to turn around their form following last week’s defeat, whereas AC Milan was attempting to regain confidence after exiting Europe’s elite competition unexpectedly. Early on, Milan's Malik Thiaw became the unfortunate culprit of the match's first goal. Just five minutes in, with goalkeeper Mike Maignan rushing to intercept, Thiaw found himself inadvertently redirecting the ball past his own keeper, handing Torino the lead amid audible boos from the Milan fans.
Despite their blunder, Milan pressed on, determined to equalize. Their efforts aligned with increasing frustration for fans as Christian Pulisic missed the opportunity to score from the penalty spot, marking his first career penalty miss. The mood on the sidelines was tense as coach Sergio Conceiçao watched his side struggle to convert chances, with Torino displaying solid defensive tactics led by goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić.
Throughout the first half, Milinković-Savić made several standout saves, reinforcing Torino’s lead. A fantastic show of reflexes, he remarkably denied attempts from Santiago Gimenez and Pulisic, leading to frustrations from the visiting fans as their team seemed unable to capitalize on their moments of opportunity.
The halftime whistle blew, leaving the players to regroup, but the second half began with renewed vigor for AC Milan. Just short of twenty minutes played, Tijjani Reijnders finally broke through for Milan, delivering a powerful shot from inside the area to level the match at 1-1. The roar from the Milan supporters was palpable as hope sparked anew among the roster. It seemed as if the tide might turn.
But Torino was not finished. Just two minutes later, Gineitis responded decisively for the Granata. Following some crafty work, Sanabria took advantage of Milan’s momentary lapse to spryly beat the box and slot home Torino’s second goal with precision. Maignan was left with no chance as the fierce diagonal shot found its mark, stirring cheers from the home crowd.
With the scoreboard tilting once again, AC Milan tried to muster one last effort, pushing players forward and creating opportunities. Notable plays included another attempt from Reijnders, who narrowly missed with his powerful strikes, and various headers from Pavlovic. Such attempts fell mere inches wide of tying the match.
But time was against the Rossoneri as they fought desperately to regain control of the match. Torino, buoyed by their home fans, defended resolutely, maintaining their lead right up to the final whistle, earning three valuable points.
Following the match, conversations centered on the significant errors made by Milan’s defense, and the underwhelming penalty performance from Pulisic stood as talking points among analysts. Torino’s well-organized defense and resilient goalkeeping from Milinković-Savić exemplified what was needed to outlast their opponents.
Overall, the match not only marked Torino’s triumph but also emphasized the pressing challenges currently faced by Milan as they seek to reclaim previous glory and remain competitive within Serie A standings. Another defeat undoubtedly weighs heavily on Conceiçao and his side as they prepare for upcoming fixtures.