Torino and AC Milan to end all square at the Stadio Olimpico
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Sixth place AC Milan travel to the Stadio Olimpico in Turin to take on 10th place Torino in midweek Serie A action. Milan are currently in the final Europa League place, but a recent downturn in Gennaro Gattuso's team's form has weakened its lead over Fiorentina.
Gattuso has been in charge of Milan for the last 18 league games, and he has only suffered defeat three times. Since the Rossoneri's most recent loss on March 31 against Juventus, Milan have drawn their last three matches. Milan's rejuvenation under Gattuso has wavered in April, but the team is still picking up vital points in the race for Europe. Milan no longer have the Europa League to worry about after being eliminated in the quarterfinals by Arsenal. The club has already punched its ticket to the Coppa Italia final in May against Juventus, so Milan could have one eye on the big cup final already.
Torino have recently picked up their form. After suffering four straight losses in February and March, Torino reeled off three straight wins and a draw. The club's most recent away draw to Chievo was a big disappointment and it hurt any chance the team may have had to reach the Europa League. Walter Mazzarri's January appointment as coach hasn't improved Torino's Serie A position. Rather it has hurt the team's plight for Europe pushing Torino slightly down the table. Over the last two seasons, Torino have underperformed despite their assortment of talent.
Torino have kept three clean sheets in their last four matches, including a 1-0 win over Internazionale. Torino have given up just 38 goals in the league, which is good for ninth fewest in Serie A. Milan have given up just two fewer goals, and both sides have had similar defensive form in recent time. In Milan's last three matches – all draws – the Rossoneri kept two of three clean sheets.
The teams' goals allowed is very similar to goals scored. Torino are eighth in Serie A in goals scored with 46, while Milan sit 10th with 43 tallied. Not much currently separate the quality of the two teams, despite Milan spending millions in the 2017 offseason to overhaul the squad.
Due to goals being hard to come by for both clubs and the defensive units excelling, this match will feature few goals. Milan are without a double-digit goal scorer and have relied on 20-year-old Patrick Cutrone (seven) to get the lion's share of goals. Iago Falque leads Torino in goals with 11 while star striker Andrea Belotti has tallied nine this term.
The last time Torino met Milan in November, the match ended in a nil-nil draw. This game can end in a draw as well, but the two sides will get a goal to finish all square.
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