Oct 30, 2025, Posted by: Ra'eesa Moosa
On a crisp May evening in Turin, AC Milan delivered a statement performance to defeat Torino Football Club 3-1 at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, sealing their 80-point campaign in the 2023/2024 Serie A season. The win wasn’t just about points — it was a statement of intent from a team that had spent much of the season under fire, and a bittersweet farewell to head coach Stefano Pioli in his final away match before stepping down. With over 22,000 fans packed into the stands, the atmosphere crackled with tension: Torino still clinging to a sliver of hope for UEFA Europa League qualification, while Milan sought to end a dismal away record with pride.
A Season of Contrasts
For AC Milan, this was the final chapter of a campaign that began with title aspirations and ended in quiet resignation. They’d already locked in second place with 79 points before kickoff — 19 behind champions Internazionale Milano — but had won just one of their last nine league games. Their away form had been particularly alarming: only one win in ten visits to Turin since 2017, including a 7-0 thrashing in 2021 that now felt like a lifetime ago. The pressure wasn’t on the scoreboard — it was on legacy.
Meanwhile, Torino, the Granata, were fighting for something more fragile: survival in the European race. With 59 points and three teams ahead of them, their Europa League hopes hinged on results from Lazio, Fiorentina, and Napoli. But this wasn’t just about math — it was about momentum. After a four-game scoring drought, they’d snapped out of it with a 2-1 win over Verona, thanks to a late strike from former Milan youth product Andrea Pellegri. For Torino, this wasn’t just a game — it was a statement of resilience.
The Players Who Made the Difference
AC Milan’s attack, often criticized for stagnation, came alive through Christian Pulisic. The American winger, often the lone spark in a dull midfield, opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a darting run and low finish past Torino goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny. It was his 11th league goal of the season — and his first in over a month.
But the real story was Samuele Ricci. The 23-year-old Torino midfielder, long monitored by Milan’s scouts as a potential future signing, was moved into a more advanced role by manager Ivan Jurić — and he delivered. He nearly equalized just before halftime with a curling shot that clipped the post. His movement, vision, and composure under pressure made him the only Torino player who looked like he belonged on the same pitch as Milan’s stars.
Then came the turning point. In the 57th minute, Luka Jović — the Serbian striker who’d spent much of the season on the bench — pounced on a loose ball after a corner, slotting it home with calm precision. It was his first goal since March. Three minutes later, Noah Okafor, the Swiss forward, sealed it with a counterattack goal, finishing coolly after a devastating pass from Pulisic.
Torino pulled one back in the 79th minute through Andrea Belotti, the veteran captain whose leadership carried them through the season. But it was too little, too late. The final whistle brought silence from the home fans — not of defeat, but of exhaustion. They’d fought hard, but Milan’s quality, even in their slump, proved too much.
The Ripple Effect
For AC Milan, the win meant reaching 80 points — a psychological milestone, even if it didn’t change their final standing. But more importantly, it gave the club a clean exit from Pioli’s tenure. His replacement, Paulo Fonseca, was already preparing for next season, and this result gave him a foundation to build on.
Meanwhile, Torino’s Europa League dreams died with this result. Napoli’s win over Sassuolo and Fiorentina’s draw with Bologna meant Torino finished ninth — just one point outside the European spots. It was agonizingly close. Jurić’s team had shown grit, but not enough consistency. The club now faces a summer of tough decisions: keep Ricci? Replace Belotti? Rebuild the defense?
What’s Next?
AC Milan’s final match of the season — a home game against US Salernitana 1919 on May 26 — will be a farewell party for Pioli, with fans expected to give him a standing ovation. But the real work begins now. With Zlatan Ibrahimović taking a more active role in the boardroom, the club is preparing for a major overhaul: new signings, a fresh tactical identity, and a clear path back to the Champions League.
For Torino, the summer will be about retooling. Ricci’s performance against Milan didn’t just impress fans — it sent ripples through transfer markets from London to Madrid. If Milan come calling again, will he stay? And can Jurić turn this team into consistent European contenders?
The Numbers Behind the Match
- AC Milan: 80 points (2nd place), 65 wins in 155 Serie A meetings with Torino
- Torino: 59 points (9th place), won only 3 of last 5 home games vs Milan
- AC Milan’s away record at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino: 1 win in last 10 visits
- Christian Pulisic: 11 goals, 7 assists in Serie A 2023/24
- Samuele Ricci: 11 key passes, 87% pass accuracy, 1 goal, 1 assist in final 5 games
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did AC Milan’s away record at Torino matter so much?
AC Milan had won just one of their last 10 away matches at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino — including a humiliating 7-0 loss in 2021. This meant every visit felt like a gamble. Winning 3-1 wasn’t just about points; it was about breaking a psychological barrier and giving the squad confidence heading into the summer rebuild.
How close was Torino to qualifying for the Europa League?
Torino finished ninth with 59 points — one point behind 7th-placed Fiorentina and two behind 6th-placed Napoli. With only the top six qualifying for Europa League, they missed out by the narrowest margin possible. A win against Milan, combined with losses by Napoli and Fiorentina, could have changed everything.
Why is Samuele Ricci such a big target for AC Milan?
Ricci combines defensive discipline with progressive passing and vision — rare traits in modern midfielders. Milan’s scouts have tracked him for two years. His performance against his future club showed he could thrive under pressure, making him a potential replacement for the aging Franck Kessié or the inconsistent Sandro Tonali.
What does Zlatan Ibrahimović’s increased role mean for AC Milan’s future?
Ibrahimović, though retired, remains a towering figure at the club. His new boardroom role signals a shift from passive ownership to active influence — especially in transfers and managerial hires. With Fonseca now in charge, expect a more aggressive, European-focused transfer strategy, possibly targeting young talents like Ricci and a new striker to replace the aging Jović.
Was Stefano Pioli’s departure justified?
Pioli led Milan to two consecutive second-place finishes, but his final season was marred by inconsistency — especially in away games and against mid-table sides. He failed to adapt tactically as rivals improved. While he’s respected, the club needed a fresh voice to compete with Inter and rebuild for Champions League football — hence the switch to Fonseca.
What’s next for Torino’s manager Ivan Jurić?
Jurić’s work with Torino has been impressive — turning them into a compact, hard-to-beat side. But with no European football next season, his future is uncertain. Clubs like Eintracht Frankfurt and Fiorentina have shown interest. His ability to develop young players like Ricci and Belotti makes him a hot candidate for mid-table clubs aiming to climb.
Author
Ra'eesa Moosa
I am a journalist with a keen interest in covering the intricate details of daily events across Africa. My work focuses on delivering accurate and insightful news reports. Each day, I strive to bring light to the stories that shape our continent's narrative. My passion for digging deeper into issues helps in crafting stories that not only inform but also provoke thought.