New AC Milan coach Fonseca left with mixed feelings after dramatic last-gasp comeback in Torino draw
STADIO SAN SIRO (Milan) – Paulo Fonseca would have hoped for a less stressful debut as AC Milan coach, but by the end of Saturday night he likely would have settled for a point as the Rossoneri roared back to earn a chaotic late 2-2 draw against Torino on Matchday 1 of the 2024/25 Serie A season.
Following a slow start from the Rossoneri, Malick Thiaw turned into his own goal after 31 minutes and took the wind out of their sails. That was then followed by a Duvan Zapata goal in a second half that saw Paolo Vanoli's side impress with their organisation and composure.
This was at least until debutant and Spain Men's National Team captain Alvaro Morata pulled one back for the hosts seconds before injury time, a goal that turned the game on its head. Shortly after, Noah Okafor bagged a second for Milan to see them steal a last-gasp point.
Experimental Milan punished by Torino
The early minutes showed how Milan have changed since last season, as they patiently tried to move the ball out from the back to invite Torino onto them to create spaces to run into. Their attempts to win the ball back, especially in Torino's half, were notably less intense than they would have been under Stefano Pioli.
While this allowed them to appear more solid at the back, they struggled to pose a real threat themselves. The only chance of the opening 25 minutes came as Rafael Leao missed from close range on the end of a corner.
But following the first-half cooling break on the half-hour mark, Torino unexpectedly exposed the Rossoneri's defensive vulnerabilities. Raoul Bellanova met Duvan Zapata's cross at the back post with perfect timing and his header came off the upright before Thiaw attempted a messy clearance, only managing to put it into his own goal.
However, with the goal-line technology not working, referee Fabio Maresca had to wait a couple of minutes before awarding the goal to Toro following a VAR check.
AC Milan's nervy start to the season
With everyone at the San Siro expecting a reaction in terms of approach and chances created, it became clear that finding balance will be something for Fonseca's side to work towards this season. They did start to look more threatening, but this came at a cost, as Torino could easily find more space in behind.
Fonseca responded by adding some more quality and fresh legs. The introductions of Alvaro Morata, Tijjani Reijnders and Theo Hernandez quickly earned a penalty then ruled out by the VAR, before Paolo Vanoli's side took advantage of the earlier - and continuing - lack of balance to strike again.
It was all too easy for Ivan Ilic and Saul Coco to combine down the left flank, with the latter setting up Zapata to double the Granata's lead.
The Rossoneri looked helpless, but instinct kicked in as time ticked away.
Morata and Okafor each scored late - in the 89th and 95th minutes, respectively - to huge roars from the San Siro crowd, but what was made clear on Matchday 1 is that Milan and Fonseca still have significant work to do to become the team the Portuguese coach wants them to be. There is undeniable quality there, as eventually showed against Toro, and there is plenty in place that the new boss can work with.