AC Milan 1-0 Torino: Olivier Giroud header puts an end to Milan’s seven game winless streak

Olivier Giroud’s second half strike ensured AC Milan ended their seven match winless run, despite a limp display against Torino.

The hosts ran out 1-0 winners at the San Siro in a low quality game, with the Frenchman’s finish the only bit of attacking class all evening.

The visitors certainly started the better of the two sides, with Antonio Sanabria having an early chance from 25-yards which Ciprian Tatarusanu tipped around the post. An error from Simon Kjaer then nearly let the striker in, but again the ‘keeper was on hand to block after closing down the angle.

In truth, AC Milan just didn’t get going, bereft of confidence after their recent form, and they took until the 55th minute to have a chance of note, although Rafael Leao’s shot was saved. Giroud then came even closer, striking a thumping drive that Vanja Milkinkovic-Savic clawed away from the line.

That was a warning of what was to come though, as Giroud finally broke the deadlock just after the hour mark when flicking home Theo Hernandez’s cross, brilliantly nodding into the far corner.

Hernandez should have made it 2-0 late on when somehow firing wide despite being through one-on-one, but it mattered not as Torino’s race was run, as they were left bemoaning the chances they failed to convert before the break.

TALKING POINT – Lift off for AC Milan?

This could be the kick-start to the campaign that AC Milan needed, as they avoided an eighth game without a win and eased the pressure on Stefano Pioli.

The manager, who had been criticised by Italy’s vice-president of all people this week, will have been far from impressed by his side’s first half performance, which was passive and toothless.

However, Giroud’s strike brought the confidence flooding back around the San Siro, with his side improving significantly after going ahead.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Olivier Giroud (AC Milan). In truth, very few players stood out on either side in what was a largely tame and underwhelming game.

However, the striker’s decisive header was crucial in Milan taking home the three points, and could breathe new life into their campaign.

He was, for large parts, isolated as the likes of Brahim Diaz and Rafael Leao alongside him struggled, but the Frenchman was on hand when needed to nod home the winner.

PLAYER RATINGS

AC MILAN: Tatarusanu 7; Kalulu 7, Kjaer 6, Thiaw 6; Saelemaekers 5, Tonali 6, Krunic 6, Hernandez 7; Diaz 6, Giroud 7, Leao 6. Subs: Gabbia 6, De Ketelaere n/a, Pobega n/a, Origi n/a, Calabria n/a

Subs: Vasquez, Mirante, Ballo-Toure, Adli, PVranckx, Bakayoko, Ibrahimovic, Messias, Rebic

TORINO: Milinkovic-Savic 6; Djidji 6, Schuurs 6, Buongiorno 6; Singo 6, Adopo 6, Gineitis 6, Rodriguez 6; Miranchuk 5, Sanabria 5, Vlasic 6. Subs: Linetty 6, Vojvoda 6, Karamoh 6, Radonjic 5, Gravillon n/a

Subs: Gemello, Fiorenza, Aina, Gravillon, Vieira, Radonjic, Ilic, Bayeye, Seck

KEY MOMENTS

37’ SANABRIA SHOULD SCORE. That should have been the opener. An error by Kjaer, running towards his own goal, who stumbles to the floor in the box. Sanabria collects, but the goalkeeper does well to narrow the angle and the shot is saved

55’ LEAO DENIED. First big chance of the second half for Milan, and it sees Leao picked out in space in the area, but Vanja Milinkovic-Savic is quickly off his line to block

57’ MILINKOVIC-SAVIC BREATHES A SIGH OF RELIEF. Crikey, that was close. Olivier Giroud has a thumping effort from inside the box and although the ‘keeper gets something on it, the ball slips under him. He’s eventually able to get back and stop it from crossing the line

62’ GOAL! AC MILAN 1-0 TORINO (Giroud). Deadlock broken! An excellent cross from Hernandez from the left hand side and the French international flicks it on superbly, out of reach for Milinkovic-Savic and into the far corner

76’ HERNANDEZ MISSES A HOWLER. AC Milan will not get a better chance to double their lead. Terrific cross to Hernandez, who’s in acres of space as the hosts counter-attack, but he can’t hit the target when shooting first time

KEY STATS

• AC Milan extend their unbeaten run in home league games against Torino to 26 matches, winning 18 of those clashes since 1984/85
• This was the sixth time Torino have failed to score in Serie A this season