Milan-Torino Preview: Penultimate Torment

There aren’t as many fans who have watched every single game this season, and I completely understand why. It is a twisted form of masochism this year, and not all of us are that dark and twisted. But whether or not you’re as dark and twisted as I am, we can all be grateful for one thing: tomorrow’s match is the penultimate torment of this season.

Perfect that Darmian has become the player everyone wants at Torino, we sold out another Milan youth talent

Torino technically still has something to fight for as mathematically, if all of the stars align in every universe and they have a bit of luck, they might possibly sneak back into Europe this season, though it is unlikely. They currently sit in 9th place on the table with 51 points. With Genoa ahead of them and without a UEFA license for next year, Torino’s best hope is to win these two fixtures and wish calamity on Sampdoria and Inter. And also hope that Genoa’s appeal is not successful. One way or the other, they have every reason to win this match.

The other reason for them to win this match is that in January, they were robbed. In a match where Rocchi reffed like Krusty the Klown, Muntari had his little tantrum, and Milan played on ten men for half the game, Torino were the better team and still only got the single point. Ventura’s men must be anxious for revenge. And coming off of a 2-0 victory over Chievo last weekend, one might think that they are poised for revenge, too. In that match, he lined up Padelli; Jansson, Maksimovic, Moretti; El Kaddouri, Gazzi, Vives, Silva, Darmian; Maxi Lopez, and Martinez. However, things have changed a bit over this week. Not only will he be missing the previously injured Bovo, Quagliarella and Farnerud, he has lost Castellazi, and now likely Maxi Lopez to injury, and Maksimovic will be suspended this match for yellow cards. And yes, that is the Maxi Lopez who formerly waited in a hotel for a whole week as Milan’s second choice transfer and was rewarded with a mere six months in a Milan jersey. He also scored both goals for Torino last week, so we might be a little grateful for his absence.

Maxi was possibly hoping to avenge Hotelgate in a Torino kit, but may not get the chance

For Milan, Cerci didn’t get to face his former club and the only coach who has ever gotten anything out of him when we played them in January. He is also in question again with injury, as is Rami, despite returning to training this week. We are also still without Agazzi, Essien, Montolivo, De Sciglio, and Antonelli to injury. And then there are the suspended players: Menez’ final match of his four match ban, Bonaventura’s one match for seeing two yellows last week, and Suso’s impressive straight red which he was given 13 seconds before the whistle was set to blow last week. Between the ridiculous suspensions (Milan have seen the most red cars of any team in the major European leagues this year,) and the niggling injuries, and the fact that we are languishing in 11th place with only 46 points, we have nothing to play for except dignity. Playing for dignity has not been a priority this year, so I am simply grateful that this is the last home game with our spoiled Curva Sud’s tantrums and also the penultimate torment for this season.

This post inspired by the music of The Cure’s “Disintegration” album

Milan vs. Torino

Sunday, May 24 • 20:45 CEST (2:45pm EDT)

This match will be shown LIVE on RAI and BeIN Sports in the U.S.