With a remarkable victory in extra time against AC Milan on Wednesday at San Siro, Torino shocked Milan and advanced to the Coppa Italia quarterfinals. Michel Adopo scored the game's only goal to propel the 10-man visitors. With 20 minutes of regular time left, Koffi Djidji received his second booking, but a much-changed Milan team still struggled to break down Torino.
Following several excellent stops from Vanja Milinkovic-Savic that kept the Rossoneri at bay, Adopo finished a quick burst by converting Brian Bayeye's squared pass to clinch the victory with a penalty shootout approaching.
Following their defeat to Roma on Sunday, Stefano Pioli's team suffered another setback with this result, extending Milan's wait for Coppa Italia success by at least 21 years.
Sasa Lukic was played through on goal by Torino after 12 minutes, but Ciprian Tatarusanu rushed out to make a right-leg save. This was the team's first real opportunity to score. Before halftime, Milan's Charles De Ketelaere came close to taking the lead twice. First, his looping header hit the inside of the right post, then Milinkovic-Savic turned away his long-range attempt.
Torino remained resolute, but Milan's introduction of Junior Messias gave them the upper hand as he prompted a foolish challenge from Djidji, who was rightfully given his second yellow card for doing so.
Theo Hernandez's strong volley was deflected away by Milinkovic-Savic in stoppage time as Torino held on to force an additional 30 minutes. The Serbian goalkeeper made a close-range save. Torino stunned AC Milan to reach the Coppa Italia quarter-finals with a remarkable extra-time win at San Siro on Wednesday, Michel Adopo scoring the only goal to fire the 10-man visitors through.
A much-changed Milan side produced a disjointed display, struggling to break Torino down even after Koffi Djidji received his second booking with 20 minutes remaining in normal time.
After Vanja Milinkovic-Savic kept the Rossoneri at bay with a series of fine saves, Adopo capped a rapid break by converting Brian Bayeye's squared pass to snatch victory with a penalty shoot-out looming. The result represents another setback for Stefano Pioli's men following Sunday's capitulation against Roma, ensuring Milan's wait for Coppa Italia glory will stretch to at least 21 years.
Torino squandered the first clear chance when Sasa Lukic was played through on goal 12 minutes in, with Ciprian Tatarusanu rushing out to save with his right leg.
Charles De Ketelaere twice went close to giving Milan the lead before the break, seeing his looping header hit the inside of the right-hand post prior to Milinkovic-Savic pushing his long-range effort away on the stroke of half-time.
With Torino continuing to stand firm, Milan's introduction of Junior Messias put them on top as he invited a clumsy challenge from Djidji, who was deservedly shown his second yellow card.
Milinkovic-Savic turned Theo Hernandez's powerful volley away in stoppage time as Torino held on to force an extra half-hour, in which the Serbia goalkeeper made a close-range stop to deny Olivier Giroud. Just six minutes before the penalty shootout, Adopo converted Bayeye's low cross to hush the San Siro as Milan started to run out of ideas.
ROSSONERI'S CUP PROBLEMS CONTINUE
Given that Milan has won the Scudetto 19 times, second only to Juventus' (36) record, it seems incredible that they haven't won Italy's domestic trophy since 2003.
While Milan's prospects of adding to their five Coppa Italia victories are over—Andriy Shevchenko, Rivaldo, and Filippo Inzaghi were among the final goal scorers when they last won this competition—quest Torino's for a sixth Coppa Italia victory continues.
STARS FOR MILINKOVIC-SAVIC
Adopo may have saved the day for Torino, but Milinkovic-eight Savic's saves during the game were the only ones that allowed him to pull off such a daring rescue.
Despite having more touches (85) and passes attempted (63) than any other Torino player, the Serbian international maintained his composure to secure a crucial clean sheet.
DE KETELAERE BLEW HIS OPPORTUNITY.
When he moved from Club Brugge to San Siro in August, big things were anticipated of De Ketelaere, but the Belgian international has struggled and has yet to score a single Serie A goal for the league champions.
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