Two teams from big cities full of history and tradition. AC Milan v Torino is a Serie A classic, even if their values on the pitch, and consequently their objectives, are different: While the Rossoneri fight for top spot, the Granata are focused mainly on survival. A new instalment of the fixture will be staged at San Siro on Tuesday evening. First, however, we rewind the tape to relive a previous encounter, on May 24, 2015, when it ended 3-0 to the Rossoneri.
THE SCENARIO
It was the penultimate matchday of a troubled season and the last match at home. Filippo Inzaghi, in his debut year as a Serie A coach, saw his team traverse up and down the table to eventually occupy tenth place coming into this match. A very negative period had already taken away all hope of Europe: there were very few wins, fewer smiles, and plenty of angry fans. But the Diavolo still managed to finish the season in the best possible way, beating Torino and then Atalanta (3-2) in Bergamo, reaching a total of 52 points, just behind Coach Ventura’s Bull.
THE PHARAOH RAISES THE BAR
It was to be El Shaarawy’s night. A leading light in a complicated season, he had just returned after missing three months due to a fractured metatarsal. The young Stephan picked the team up on his shoulder and dragged them to success: he scored the goal to make it 1-0, stopping the ball and blasting it home in the 18th minute, and the goal for 3-0, a precise finish in minute 65. In one fell swoop, he found his first goal of 2015 and his first brace in the league. Decisive on his return as a starter, it was a liberating feeling for a player who would go on to confirm himself as a precious resource in the years to come.
PAZZINI ALSO LEAVES HIS MARK
However, it wasn't all smooth sailing because the Diavolo, having gained the advantage, were forced to play with ten men for more than one half due to the red card shown to Zaccardo (last man challenge on the edge of the box on Molinaro). The numerical disadvantage did not last long, thanks to the contribution of an inspired van Ginkel who, at the beginning of the second half, won a penalty and forced the opponents (Molinaro) to receive a red card. From the penalty spot, Pazzini made no mistake and scored his 100th career goal in Serie A. During the following summer, for the record, ‘Il Pazzo’ moved to Hellas Verona.
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