Turin vs AC Milan – News and Probable Lineups

After a disappointing finish to the previous season, AC Milan is setting its sights on a fresh start under new management, beginning with their Serie A opener against Torino this Sunday.

The summer has seen significant changes in the red half of Milan, and Ruben Amorim’s revamped team will be eager to showcase their new style in Turin.

Match overview

Following a thrilling derby double against Inter for the first time since 2011, Milan’s 2025-26 season took a turn for the worse as their rivals comfortably secured the Scudetto.

With six defeats in their last ten league matches, the Rossoneri fell short of qualifying for the Champions League, prompting an immediate reshuffle in the club’s management.

Max Allegri’s second period at the club ended abruptly after just a single season, leading to Amorim’s appointment to restore the team’s fortunes amid numerous squad and boardroom changes.

The former Manchester United manager began his tenure with a 2-2 draw against Celtic, followed by a goalless draw with Inter in Australia, a loss to Chelsea, and a victory over United.

Amorim utilized these pre-season matches to refine his much-debated tactics and integrate new signings like club-record acquisition Goncalo Ramos, but the real action kicks off on Sunday.

Despite their struggles, Milan managed to win 11 out of 19 away matches in the previous season, including a dramatic comeback victory against Torino (3-2) – Amorim will certainly hope for similar outcomes this weekend.

While Torino has only lost two of their last 13 home fixtures against Milan, one resulted in a humiliating 7-0 defeat and the other was the encounter last December.

Before Roberto D’Aversa’s arrival as interim manager a few weeks later, Torino had an abysmal home record, but he successfully navigated them to safety.

Ending their season with a draw against Juventus on the final day, they went unbeaten in their last six matches at Stadio Olimpico Grande, accumulating 14 points and scoring at least twice in each contest.

Ultimately, the Granata finished in 12th place, but D’Aversa departed, leaving new manager Ignazio Abate with the task of mending what was the second-worst defence in the league.

After defeating Burnley in early August, Abate’s side went on to beat Vado and Avellino in their final pre-season friendlies, and now they are scheduled for a home tie in round two of the Coppa Italia.

After overcoming Carrarese last week, Torino will soon welcome Monza for the cup match, but Abate must first face his former club on the opening day of Serie A.

Team News

New signings Diego Moreira, Mario Gila, and Ramos are all likely to feature in their Milan debuts, with Ramos expected to start in attack.

During his three seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, Ramos had a goal ratio of one every 120 minutes, so expectations are high for him to outperform Christopher Nkunku and Santi Gimenez, who is currently sidelined with injury.

Although he was far from his best last season, Rafael Leao was still the Rossoneri’s leading scorer with nine goals, but he is currently nursing a muscular injury and could be on his way out.

After agreeing to prolong his stay for another year, veteran playmaker Luka Modric will orchestrate play in Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.

Former Milan defender Abate may implement a similar tactical setup for Torino, as he did against Carrarese in the Coppa Italia and throughout much of the pre-season.

Ex-Ajax midfielder Kian Fitz-Jim is expected to make his Serie A debut, alongside Swiss centre-back Eray Comert; Italy Under-21 wing-back Alessio Cacciamani, who impressed on loan at Juve Stabia, is also in contention.

Giovanni Simeone, who was the top scorer with 11 league goals in 2025-26, will compete with Che Adams, Duvan Zapata, and Sandro Kulenovic to lead Toro’s attack, though Zapata is slightly doubtful due to fitness concerns.

Torino probable starting XI:

Mascardi; Comuzzo, Comert, Coco; Pedersen, Fitz-Jim, Gineitis, Cacciamani; Vlasic, Casadei; Simeon

AC Milan probable starting XI:

Cousins; De Winter, Gila, Pavlovic; Chukwueze, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Loftus-Cheek, Saelemaekers; Ramos

Following a revolution in management and tactics, it is expected that Amorim’s Milan will require some time to adjust.

Torino is also taking a gamble by appointing Abate, but he may manage to secure a point against his former club this week.