AC Milan 4-1 Torino: Christian Pulisic’s fine form continues with goal in win for Rossoneri

Christian Pulisic netted on his home league debut as AC Milan continued their winning start to the Serie A season courtesy of a dominant 4-1 triumph over Torino at the San Siro.

The evergreen Olivier Giroud also converted two penalties to delight over 70,000 home fans in a polished team performance from a reinvigorated Milan side, who move top of the table on goal difference after two matches.

Buoyed by a 2-0 victory at Bologna in their season opener with Pulisic and Giroud also on target, Stefano Pioli’s side eased ahead against Torino on 33 minutes.

Pulisic provided the late run into the box after being set up by the rampaging run and cross of his former Chelsea team-mate Ruben Loftus-Cheek to finish from close range.

Perr Schuurs punished some sloppy defending to swivel and volley Torino level on 36 minutes before a harsh handball VAR call against Alessandro Buongiorno enabled Giroud to restore the lead from the penalty spot on 43 minutes.

It was the French forward’s fifth goal in as many games before he was able to admire Theo Hernandez clip home a delightful third from an acute angle after being played in by Rafael Leao in added time in the first half.

Giroud added his second of the night from the spot on 65 minutes to finish the game as a contest after Schurrs was correctly deemed guilty of a late challenge on Leao via VAR as he sped into the area.

VAR is an accepted part of the modern game, but you do wonder why referees do not overrule clear mistakes from the debatable video technology.

Alessandro Buongiorno could not get out of the way of the ball when it flew at him off the back of Giroud’s head just before half-time. His arms were in a natural position, but for some reason VAR intervened when the referee Maurizio Mariani was happy to play on.

Mariani then compounded the error by going along with VAR when he should have made his own mind up and restarted the game minus the penalty award.

It was a major turning point in the contest as Giroud converted the penalty to hand Milan a 2-1 lead before the home side benefited from the clear momentum change by adding the third before half-time.

Milan were worthy winners on the night, but Torino can also argue that VAR did them no favours.

A few Milan players shone under the San Siro floodlights with Christian Pulisic, Tijjani Reijnders and Olivier Giroud leading the charge towards the Torino goal, but there was nobody better on the night than Portugal winger Rafael Leao, whose energy, pace and appetite to attack was a joy to behold.

You could hear the collective groans around the stadium when he was caught late by Perr Schuurs for the decision that handed Milan a second penalty midway through the second half.

Was taken off as a precaution, but it is probably vital that he stays fit if The Rossoneri are to sustain a serious title bid this season.

Milan: Mike Maignan 6, Fikayo Tomori 7, Malick Thiaw 7, Theo Hernandez 8, Davide Calabria 7, Rade Krunic 7, Tijjani Reijnders 8, Ruben Loftus-Cheek 7, Olivier Giroud 8, Rafael Leao 8, Christian Pulisic 8 Subs: Simon Kjaer 6, Alessandro Florenzi 6, Yunus Musah 6, Samuel Chukwueze 6, Noah Okafor 6

Torino: Vanja Milinkovic-Savic 7, Alessandro Buongiorno 6, Ricardo Rodríguez 6, Perr Schuurs 6, Ivan Ilic 6, Samuele Ricci 6, Mërgim Vojvoda 6, Raoul Bellanova 6, Antonio Sanabria 5, Nemanja Radonjic 5, Nikola Vlasic 7 Subs: Karol Linetty 6, Valentino Lazaro 6, Pietro Pellegri 6, Yann Karamoh 6

33′ GOAL FOR MILAN! – Pulisic finds the opening goal on his home debut. Loftus-Cheek with a blistering run and cross and his team-mate arrives late to tuck the ball home. Giroud almost connects with it. Two in two for Christian. Great goal.

36′ TORINO ARE LEVEL! – Loose ball arrives in the Milan area and Perr Schuurs turns to volley the ball into the net. Samuele Ricci with the attempt from distance that provides the assist.

41′ A PENALTY TO MILAN! – VAR call goes for the home side for a handball that Giroud flicked onto the marker Buongiorno via his head. Referee checking it and he agrees that it is a handball. So harsh.

43′ GIROUD SCORES FOR MILAN! – As easy as you like. A fifth goal in five games as he tucks the ball to the goalkeeper’s left as the Torino man headed in the wrong direction. They lead 2-1.

45+2′ ANOTHER GOAL FOR MILAN! – Theo Hernandez gallops onto a lovely little pass from Rafael Leao before flicking the ball over Vanja Milinkovic-Savic. That is a brilliant goal from an acute angle. Milan 3-1 clear. And in the clear.

64′ ANOTHER PENALTY TO MILAN! – Perr Schuurs with a cynical late foul on the run of Rafael Leao, who treats treatment. Referee goes to VAR again and that is going to be given. A certain pen this time.

65′ GIROUD DELIVERS AGAIN! – That is a lovely finish from Giroud. Slammed the ball at speed to the keeper’s right. Never in doubt. Milan lead 4-1.