Opposition insight for Milan-Torino: Form, injuries, predicted XI and more

AC Milan host Torino at San Siro tomorrow night, and their opponents do not come into this game looking vulnerable. Indeed, they will be ready for the challenge.

This morning, Massimiliano Allegri spoke about this weekend’s game emphasising that his side needs to focus if they want to qualify for the Champions League, and he is right to take this approach considering Toro’s form.

Indeed, since Roberto D’Aversa’s appointment, the Granata look a significantly better outfit, and he will hope to end a 40-year winning drought in Serie A tomorrow night.

Opposition insight on Torino

➤ Manager: Roberto D’Aversa
➤ Form (all comps): L-L-W-L-W (most recent)
➤ Top scorer (Serie A): Giovanni Simeone – 7
➤ Most assists (Serie A): Nikola Vlasic – 3
➤ Injuries & suspensions: Aboukhlal, Gineitis, Ismajli, Lazaro.

This has been a strange season for Torino, and whilst they sit in the bottom half, they have never really been in massive threat of relegation. Of course, their recent form has helped, and you could even say that the boost may have put them in a solid position to stay up.

Two wins in three games since the appointment of D’Aversa has fired them into 14th, and they could certainly get into a more ‘mid-table’ position by the end of the year if their fine form continues.

Indeed, they have already toppled Lazio and given Napoli a game, so they are certainly not going to roll over at San Siro on Saturday night.

This year’s earlier game between the two sides shows that, even during their period of struggle, they were more than good enough to cause the Rossoneri problems. Indeed, they probably should’ve got more from that game after taking a two goal lead inside 17 minutes.

Since his appointment, D’Aversa has not tried to re-invent the wheel. Instead, he has stuck with the 3-5-2 system that was previously used by Marco Baroni. However, there have been a few personnel changes.

The back three of Coco, Ismajli and Ebosse has served him well so far, and they have done a solid job of protecting Paleari, who has found new life since the new manager’s arrival.

In the midfield, the duo of Prati and Gineitis have not often been used, whilst Obrador and Pedersen have been his go-tos on the flanks.

Up front is the biggest focus, though, given his side have scored seven times in three games. Simeone and Zapata both have two goals each in their last three games, whilst Che Adams has also provided some inspiration.

For this game, it appears the Scotsman may be given the nod ahead of Zapata, but it will not be an easy call to make.

Predicted Torino XI (3-5-2): Paleari; Coco, Ismajli, Ebosse; Pedersen, Prati, Gineitis, Obrador; Vlasic; Simeone, Adams.

Predicted bench: Israel, Siviero, Marianucci, Lazaro, Nkounkou, Maripan, Tameze, Ilkhan, Kulenovic, Casadei, Ilic, Anjorin, Biraghi, Zapata, Njie.