AC Milan moved back into serious Serie A title contention after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Torino at the San Siro, closing the gap on leaders Inter Milan to five points.
Torino made the brighter start and created several early chances, with Ardian Ismajli’s header tipped over by Milan captain Mike Maignan among the best of them. Milan were slow to get going but came to life as half-time approached. Adrien Rabiot forced Alberto Paleari into his first save of the evening before Strahinja Pavlovic struck a sublime effort from 25 yards that crashed in off the underside of the bar to put the hosts in front.
Torino responded immediately. Maignan denied Duvan Zapata at close range, but could not keep out the equaliser on the stroke of half-time. Nikola Vlasic’s 20-yard effort came back off the post and struck the keeper before falling to Giovanni Simeone, who tucked away the rebound for his eighth Serie A goal of the season.
Milan came out with renewed purpose after the break and retook the lead within nine minutes of the restart. Rabiot met Christian Pulisic’s cutback to turn home from six yards, and on Milan’s very next attack, Youssouf Fofana drove at goal and fired in despite Paleari getting a touch on the ball.
Torino refused to give up and were awarded a penalty after a VAR review with 10 minutes remaining, with Pavlovic adjudged to have fouled Simeone in the area. Vlasic converted with a finish into the top corner to set up a tense finale, but Milan held on to claim three vital points.
The win lifts Milan to second in the table. They face a tough test after the international break when they travel to third-placed Napoli. Torino remain 14th, six points above the relegation zone.
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