Despite a disappointing home defeat to Zenit Saint Petersburg in the UEFA Champions League at the San Siro midweek, AC Milan will rate their chances of picking up maximum points against a struggling Torino outfit on Sunday.
Milan have improved significantly in the Serie A in recent weeks, with crucial victories over Catania and Juventus in their last two games, and will be aiming to continue to impress at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino.
The Rossoneri currently lie in seventh position of the Serie A standings with 21 points from 15 games, fourteen points behind league leaders Juventus, with 35 points. Their position on the table is simply not acceptable by their standards, and they are more than aware that anything but the three points against Torino would surely take them completely out of the title race, even if we have yet to reach the midway point.
Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri fielded a weakened side against Zenit, as Milan had already assured themselves of progression to the Round of 16 stage of the Champions League in the previous round, and that means he is expected to field his strongest-possible side against the Granata.
However, several players remain sidelined due to injury, and these include Riccardo Montolivo, Sulley Muntari, Bakaye Traore and Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato, who has been triggered by injury both this and last season.
Midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng will also miss out on the game as he serves a suspension after receiving his marching orders against Catania.
According to reports, Allegri is expected to name Robinho, Bojan Krkic and Stephan El Shaarawy in Milan's strong three-man attack. Robinho is back in favour at the San Siro, after scoring the penalty kick that earned Milan a boosting 1-0 win over Juventus.
Meanwhile, Torino coach Giampiero Ventura will have to deal with the absences of a few of his key players, such as Riccardo Meggiorini and Alessandro Sgrigna, who are not at full fitness. Polish Defender Kamil Glik will be replaced by Valerio Di Cesare due to suspension.
Torino's last four matches
Dec 1, 2012: Juventus 3-0 Torino (Italian Serie A)
Nov 28, 2012: Siena 2-0 Torino (Italian Serie A)
Nov 25, 2012: Torino 2-2 Fiorentina (Italian Serie A)
Nov 19, 2012: Roma 2-0 Torino (Italian Serie A)
Milan's last four matches
Dec 4, 2012: Milan 0-1 Zenit (UEFA Champions League)
Nov 30, 2012: Catania 1-3 Milan (Italian Serie A)
Nov 25, 2012: Milan 1-0 Juventus (Italian Serie A)
Nov 21, 2012: Anderlecht 1-3 Milan (UEFA Champions League)
Facts
- Torino come into the game having won only 1 out of their last 9 league games.
- Milan have only been beaten by Torino once in the last 24 Serie A meetings between the sides.
