Carnage at Turin

10 goals have been scored and none conceded in the last two matches. The name of the team is AC Milan and their vintage display last night against Torino was the reminiscence of the past when the Rossoneri were the best club in the world. Still, time changes, and with that the fortunes of the teams like AC Milan. The 0-7 thrashing of Torino might be the indication of the return to the glory days.

To be frank it was carnage at Turin. Torino had no chance at all and were left clueless by a unit that was hungry for prey and after taming Juventus, it seemed, the appetite was not fulfilled, thus, they completed their dinner after digesting Torino with all the available spices available.

 Stefano Pioli made two forced changes to his starting line-up compared to the 3-0 win over Juventus on Sunday as the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic and suspended Alexis Saelemaekers were replaced by Ante Rebic and Samu Castillejo respectively.

The match was just six minutes old when Hakan Calhanoglu attempted to barrel his way through on goal after a ricochet inside the area was not cleared – he was bumped over and the attempted clearance thumped against him while on the ground, and it only just spun wide of the far post after being unintentionally directed back towards the Torino goal.

 In the 19th minute, it was Milan who took the lead after a period of sustained pressure inside Torino’s defensive third. Some smart play from Brahim Diaz saw the Spaniard lay the ball into the path of the onrushing Theo Hernandez and the full-back struck that beat Sirigu inside the far post.

In the 26th minute Milan made it 2-0 and this time it came from the penalty spot after Castillejo was brought down by a reckless challenge from Lyanco.

Franck Kessie sent Sirigu the wrong way.

Milan made it 3-0 within five minutes after the break as Brahim Diaz got his name on the score-sheet for the second game in a row. Kessie pressed high to capitalize on a poor pass from Bremer and the Ivorian squared to Brahim, who sat Sirigu down with an excellent finish.

Milan went for more and twice they almost had one before the hour mark.

Then the fourth goal arrived. 

It was a devastating counter-attack that carved the home side wide open, with Rebic finding Theo Hernandez’s run in behind perfectly and the Frenchman netting his second of the night with a deft dink over Sirigu.

Then it became 5-0 - Substitute Rade Krunic – who had just come on for Brahim Diaz – waited just the right amount of time to slide Rebic through on goal and the Croatian finished expertly into the top corner at the near post.

With just under 20 minutes remaining as it became 6-0.

A fantastic through ball from Soualiho Meite found Rafael Leao in behind and created a two-on-one, with the Portuguese forward unselfishly squaring to Rebic for an easy tap-in and a quickfire brace.

The seventh goal arrived with 11 minutes left on the clock as a beautiful cross whipped over from Diogo Dalot was headed back into a dangerous area by Rade Krunic, and Rebic was on hand to finish with his knee and complete a 12-minute hat-trick to make it 7-0.

“Two weeks ago everyone said we were half dead and out of the [top four] race, but now we have destiny in our hands,” Pioli told Sky Sport Italia.

 “I asked the lads to play better than their opponents because if you play better, you have a better chance of winning and we did.”

“I always told the guys that I was lucky enough to coach not just any group, but a group that built itself.

“The club has always protected us, it’s good at Milanello. It’s a special group, the esteem, and love they have for each other.

“We have been working for a year and a half and it shows, we will be able to celebrate only when we make it.”

“We have become a mentally strong team,” he continued. “I never forget that I coach a very young team that has become mature and solid. They have awareness.

“It’s the most rewarding step for our work.”

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 13/05/2021 Carnage at Turin

Thank You

Faisal Caesar