Milan Edges Torino Without Leao, Reclaims Second Place Spot

AC Milan reclaimed second place in Serie A with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Torino at San Siro on March 21, pushing the Rossoneri one point clear of Napoli and keeping alive their slim hopes of catching league leaders Inter Milan, who now sit 5 points ahead with 68 points after 29 matches.

The win was particularly significant for Milan because it came without star forward Rafael Leao, who watched from the stands due to a flare-up of a persistent right adductor issue that has plagued him throughout the season. Medical examinations ruled out serious injury, but the Portuguese international will miss additional fixtures during the international break before potentially returning for the crucial clash against Napoli on April 6.

Why This Matters

• The title race tightens: Milan (60 points) now trails Inter by 5 points with matches running out, while sitting just 1 point ahead of third-place Napoli (59 points).

• Leao's absence continues: The winger's recurring adductor inflammation raises questions about his availability for the season's decisive stretch.

• Direct showdown looming: Milan faces Napoli away at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 6, a match that could determine Champions League qualification and second-place bragging rights.

Match Unfolded in Two Contrasting Halves

The San Siro encounter began tepidly. For the opening 30 minutes, Milan struggled to impose rhythm or create meaningful chances against a well-organized Torino side. The visitors, under coach Roberto D'Aversa, set up defensively and made life difficult for the home team.

Milan's breakthrough arrived in the 37th minute. After Adrien Rabiot's long-range shot forced a diving save from Torino goalkeeper Paleari, defender Strahinja Pavlović collected the ball outside the area, controlled it, and unleashed a left-footed strike that nestled under the crossbar. It was a rare moment of quality in an otherwise stuttering first-half performance.

Torino responded immediately. Forward Giovanni Simeone tested Mike Maignan with a dangerous effort, and moments later, Nikola Vlašić fired a shot toward the near post. Maignan parried it, but the rebound struck the post and fell kindly to Simeone, who tapped home from close range to equalize in the 44th minute. The visitors went into halftime with five shots on target compared to Milan's two, having matched their hosts blow for blow.

Second-Half Surge Decides the Contest

Milan emerged from the break with renewed purpose. The home side's intensity increased markedly, and Torino struggled to contain them. In the 54th minute, Milan retook the lead through Rabiot, who met a cross from Christian Pulisic with his thigh to guide the ball into the net. The San Siro erupted, and Leao—watching from the stands—was seen smiling.

Just two minutes later, Youssouf Fofana extended Milan's advantage to 3-1. The French midfielder, who had publicly discussed the challenges of adapting to his new role at the club this season, celebrated by dedicating his goal to the absent Leao via an Instagram story. The rapid-fire double gave Milan a commanding position and seemed to have settled the contest.

But Torino refused to surrender. D'Aversa introduced substitutes to inject fresh energy, and his side continued pressing. With ten minutes remaining, the visitors appealed for a penalty after Pavlović appeared to strike Simeone in the face inside the box. Play continued initially, but the VAR intervened and called referee Fourneau to review the incident on the pitchside monitor. After viewing the footage, the official awarded a penalty and booked Pavlović. Vlašić stepped up and converted confidently, making it 3-2 and giving Torino a lifeline.

The final minutes were tense, with the visitors pushing for an equalizer. Milan's defense held firm, however, and the Rossoneri secured all three points to leapfrog Napoli in the standings.

What This Means for the Title Race

Milan's victory temporarily restores their position as Inter's closest challenger, though the 5-point gap with dwindling fixtures makes a title challenge appear increasingly improbable. More realistically, this result secures Milan's grip on second place and strengthens their claim for automatic Champions League qualification next season.

The standings after matchday 29 show Inter firmly in control with 68 points, Milan second on 60, and Napoli third with 59. Como (54 points), Juventus (53), and AS Roma (51) are also in the mix for European places, meaning every point matters in the battle for top-four finishes.

Milan's upcoming fixture against Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 6 will be pivotal. A win would extend their advantage over the southern club and potentially cement second place. A loss, however, could see them fall behind and open the door for other contenders. Milan won the reverse fixture at San Siro earlier this season 2-1, giving them psychological momentum heading into the rematch.

Leao's Fitness Concerns

Rafael Leao's absence from the Torino match was not a tactical decision but a medical necessity. The 26-year-old has been managing inflammation in his right adductor for much of the 2025-26 campaign, and the condition worsened in training ahead of the match. He did not participate in the final training session and underwent medical scans on March 21.

Fortunately for Milan, the tests excluded serious structural damage or muscle tears. Club medical staff are treating the issue as a chronic inflammation that requires rest rather than surgical intervention. The international break—during which Milan has no fixtures—provides Leao with nearly two weeks to recover before the critical Napoli showdown.

His return for that match is expected but not guaranteed. If the inflammation persists, Milan may have to navigate one of their most important fixtures of the season without their most creative attacking outlet.

Tactical Adjustments Without Star Forward

Milan's coaching staff adapted the lineup to compensate for Leao's absence. Christian Pulisic featured more prominently on the wing, while German striker Niclas Füllkrug was given an opportunity to make an impact. However, Füllkrug's performance was underwhelming—he failed to influence the game meaningfully and was eventually substituted.

The midfield trio of Rabiot, Fofana, and Luka Modrić (still performing at an elite level despite his age) provided the creative spark Milan needed in the second half. Modrić's vision was on full display with a brilliant through-ball that set up Rabiot's goal, showcasing why the Croatian legend remains indispensable.

Defensively, Milan showed vulnerability, conceding two goals and appearing shaky at times. The late penalty awarded to Torino highlighted ongoing discipline issues, with Pavlović's reckless challenge nearly costing his team valuable points.

D'Aversa's Impact on Torino

Despite the defeat, Torino's performance under Roberto D'Aversa showed signs of improvement. The Granata sit 14th in the table with 33 points from 29 matches, but their spirited display at San Siro suggested they are capable of climbing further away from the relegation battle.

D'Aversa has instilled greater tactical organization and fighting spirit since taking charge. Torino's five first-half shots on target demonstrated their willingness to attack even against one of Serie A's traditional powerhouses. Simeone and Vlašić proved dangerous throughout, and had the visitors capitalized on their late momentum, they might have snatched a point.

Looking Ahead

Milan enters the international break in second place, a position they will be determined to defend when action resumes. The fixture list after the break includes not only the Napoli clash but also challenging matches against mid-table sides desperate for points.

For those tracking Serie A standings and betting markets, Milan's form will be crucial. The Rossoneri have shown resilience by bouncing back from their recent loss to Lazio, but consistency remains an issue. With Leao's fitness uncertain and defensive frailties exposed, the coming weeks will test whether Milan can truly compete for silverware or if second place represents their ceiling this season.

The April 6 showdown at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona promises to be one of the most significant fixtures of the season, with Champions League implications and regional pride both on the line.