AC Milan's impressive unbeaten run in Serie A stretched to fifteen matches on Saturday, but a frustrating 0-0 draw at home to Torino felt more like a setback than a celebration. The result, coupled with a victory for their city rivals, has dealt a significant blow to their ambitions of lifting the Scudetto this season.
A Stalemate at the San Siro
Stefano Pioli's side dominated possession and created the clearer chances throughout the encounter at a packed San Siro. However, they found Torino's disciplined defence and goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić in resolute form. The Serbian shot-stopper produced a series of fine saves to keep the Rossoneri at bay, most notably denying efforts from Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leão.
Milan's best opportunity fell to substitute Luka Jović in the second half, but his close-range header was expertly tipped onto the crossbar by Milinković-Savić. At the other end, Torino offered a sporadic threat on the counter-attack, with Duván Zapata forcing a smart stop from Mike Maignan, but a goalless draw was a fair reflection of a match where solid defending ultimately trumped attacking ambition.
Inter's Win Widens the Gap at the Top
The real sting in the tail for Milan came from events elsewhere. While they were being held in Milan, their arch-rivals Inter Milan secured a 2-0 victory over Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. This result has profound implications for the Serie A title race.
Prior to this matchday, Milan sat in second place, just two points behind the league leaders. However, Inter's win extends their advantage at the summit to four points, with a game in hand still to play. This significantly alters the complexion of the championship battle, placing immense pressure on Pioli's squad to maintain a flawless record while hoping for a stumble from the Nerazzurri.
Consequences and the Road Ahead
Speaking after the match, a visibly disappointed Stefano Pioli acknowledged the missed opportunity. "We wanted the three points, we played to win, but we lacked the final touch," he stated. "Torino defended very well and their goalkeeper was exceptional. We are disappointed because we know every point is crucial at this stage."
The manager did, however, seek to emphasise the positive of the team's enduring consistency. "The unbeaten run shows our strength and mentality, but today we needed more. We must now regroup and focus on the next challenge."
For Torino, manager Ivan Jurić will be delighted with a hard-earned point away at one of Italy's most formidable venues. The clean sheet and the performance of Milinković-Savić will provide a solid foundation as they continue their push for a European qualification spot.
Looking forward, Milan must quickly shake off this frustration. Their unbeaten streak, now standing at fifteen games since a late September defeat, remains a remarkable feat of consistency. Yet, in the ruthless pursuit of a league title, draws at home can prove costly. With Inter showing no signs of weakness, the Rossoneri's margin for error has all but vanished as the season enters its decisive phase.
