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August 17, 2024

Fonseca Reflects on Mixed Emotions After Milan’s Dramatic Draw with Torino

AC Milan salvaged a draw against Torino on Serie A Matchday 1 with two last-minute goals from Alvaro Morata and Noah Okafor, leaving Paulo Fonseca with mixed emotions.

STADIO SAN SIRO (Milan) – Paulo Fonseca might have hoped for a calmer debut as AC Milan’s coach. Still, by the end of Saturday night, he would have been grateful to secure a point. The Rossoneri made a dramatic comeback to earn a chaotic 2-2 draw against Torino on Matchday 1 of the 2024/25 Serie A season.

After a sluggish start, AC Milan found themselves on the back foot when Malick Thiaw inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 31st minute, deflating the team’s momentum. Torino’s Duvan Zapata then extended their lead in the second half, showcasing Paolo Vanoli’s side’s impressive organization and composure.

However, just seconds before injury time, debutant and Spain Men’s National Team captain Alvaro Morata sparked a turnaround with a crucial goal for the hosts. Shortly after, Noah Okafor netted a second for Milan, allowing them to snatch a last-gasp point.

Experimental Milan Punished by Torino

In the early moments, AC Milan showcased their transformation since last season, patiently building from the back to draw Torino out and create space for counterattacks. However, their efforts to regain possession, especially in Torino’s half, were noticeably less intense than under Stefano Pioli.

While this approach made them appear more solid defensively, they needed help to create genuine scoring opportunities. The only notable chance in the first 25 minutes came when Rafael Leão missed a close-range effort from a corner.

After the first-half cooling break around the half-hour mark, Torino capitalized on Milan’s defensive weaknesses. Raoul Bellanova met Duvan Zapata’s cross at the back post, timing his header perfectly, but it hit the upright. In a chaotic attempt to clear the rebound, Thiaw inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.

With the goal-line technology malfunctioning, referee Fabio Maresca had to pause for a VAR check before awarding the goal to Torino.

Nervy Start for AC Milan

Fans at the San Siro anticipated a strong response in both approach and creativity. Still, it became evident that finding the right balance would be a key focus for Fonseca’s squad this season. While they began to look more threatening, this newfound ambition came at a cost, as Torino exploited the spaces left behind.

In response, Fonseca introduced fresh legs and added quality to the lineup. The arrivals of Alvaro Morata, Tijjani Reijnders, and Theo Hernandez initially sparked a penalty appeal that was subsequently ruled out by VAR. However, Torino continued to take advantage of Milan’s ongoing imbalance, striking again to extend their lead.

Ivan Ilic and Saul Coco found linking up down the left flank too easy. Coco set up Duvan Zapata to extend Torino’s lead.

The Rossoneri appeared helpless, but instinct took over as the clock wound down.

The Rossoneri initially appeared overwhelmed, struggling to find their rhythm as the match progressed. Despite their efforts, Torino capitalized on Milan’s defensive vulnerabilities, leaving the home side increasingly helpless. However, instinct kicked in for the players as the clock wound down and desperation set in. With time running out, they began to push forward with renewed urgency, determined to salvage something from the match.

In a dramatic turn of events, Alvaro Morata and Noah Okafor delivered late goals in the 89th and 95th minutes, respectively, igniting the San Siro crowd into a frenzy of cheers and celebration. Their strikes not only salvaged a point but also showcased the potential within the squad. Nevertheless, Matchday 1 highlighted that Milan and Fonseca have significant challenges in molding the team into his vision. While the undeniable quality of the players shone through, especially in those final moments, foundational elements are in place that the new coach can develop further to ensure sustained success this season.

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