In the aftermath of their calamitous exit from Europe, AC Milan must try to boost their pursuit of a Champions League return by beating Torino on Saturday.

Milan return to Serie A duty after crashing out of Europe's top competition, while Toro have had a week to reflect on the end of their unbeaten streak.

Match preview

After a last-day defeat in Zagreb cost them a top-eight finish in the inaugural league-phase table, Milan's Champions League woes reached a new low when they were dumped out of the playoffs on Tuesday.

Having lost the first leg in Rotterdam, the Rossoneri struck first at San Siro, with Santiago Gimenez finishing from close range against his old club; however, after Theo Hernandez was sent off for a second bookable offence - the latter of which was diving - Feyenoord equalised on the night and went on to claim aggregate victory.

Parachuted in after another Portuguese coach, Paulo Fonseca, failed to get to grips with a struggling squad, new boss Sergio Conceicao has certainly experienced an eventful few weeks in charge.

Since his first league game in January, Milan have picked up the joint-most points in Serie A - a tally of 14 is level with Roma, Juventus and city rivals Inter Milan - and has already steered his side to success in the Supercoppa Italiana.

However, discontent continues to brew, and the second-city giants remain outside the all-important top four; back-to-back wins on Saturday and from next week's game-in-hand against Bologna would help quieten the noise.

After a 2-2 draw on the opening matchday - when two late goals saved their skin at San Siro - Milan meet Torino again this weekend, aiming to reduce a four-point deficit to fourth-placed Juventus for one day at least.

Having won their last two home games against this week's visitors, Torino will now hope to post a streak of three for only the second time in their long Serie A history - last doing so back in 1977.

In fact, the Granata have lost just one of their last 11 league meetings with Milan in Turin - albeit, that was a 7-0 thrashing that marked the club's joint-heaviest top-flight defeat.

This time, they host their Rossoneri rivals while sitting safely in mid-table, despite seeing their unbeaten run since the start of 2025 finally ended.

Last week, goals from recent signing Eljif Elmas and stand-in skipper Nikola Vlasic put Toro on track for victory over Bologna, but conceding twice late on - including a 90th-minute own goal from another new boy, Cristiano Biraghi - cost them dearly.

After a streak of seven games without defeat - six of which were draws - Paolo Vanoli's men were finally beaten, but they remain in contention for a top-half finish.

Team News

Despite being dismissed in midweek - effectively triggering Milan's Champions League exit - Theo Hernandez should keep his place, but Sergio Conceicao may make changes. Kyle Walker's likely absence could see Alex Jimenez fill in at right-back.

Only Alessandro Florenzi, Emerson Royal and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are also sidelined by injury, so the Rossoneri's boss has several options to choose from - Youssouf Fofana and Samuel Chukwueze lead the queue for promotion from the bench.

After scoring against Empoli and Hellas Verona - before finding the net against his former club on Tuesday - Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez is set to hold off competition from Tammy Abraham and teenage forward Francesco Camarda to feature up front.

Having started a few months later, Gimenez has some ground to make up on Torino's Che Adams, who has been involved in the joint-most goals (10) of any Serie A debutant this season. The latter made his league bow in August's reverse fixture, and he should spearhead Toro's attack again this weekend.

While the hosts can welcome back key midfielder Samuele Ricci after a one-match ban, Adam Masina must now serve a suspension.

Adrien Tameze and Alieu Njie also join long-term absentees Perr Schuurs and Duvan Zapata on the sidelines, with Borna Sosa laid low by illness.

Torino possible starting lineup:
Milinkovic-Savic; Walukiewicz, Maripan, Coco, Biraghi; Ricci, Casadei; Lazaro, Vlasic, Elmas; Adams

AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Maignan; Jimenez, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Fofana, Musah; Pulisic, Reijnders, Leao; Gimenez

We say: Torino 1-1 AC Milan

If Milan were hoping for a soft landing after dropping out of Europe, they are unlikely to be provided with one in Turin.

Torino are tough to beat - and score past - on home turf, so the Rossoneri may have to settle for a frustrating draw.


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