Milan, October 31 (BNA): Defending champion Milan fell to a surprise loss for the second time this season in the Italian Serie A, by defeating its host, Turin, 2-1.
Kofi Djidji and Alexei Miranchuk scored two goals for the hosts in the first half, two minutes before the first half, before Junior Messias reduced the difference for Milan in the 67th minute after a fatal error by Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
Milan are third in the standings after Atalanta jumped earlier in the day with a 2-0 win over Empoli. Serie A leaders Napoli have a five-point lead over Atalanta and a six-point lead over AC Milan after beating Sassuolo 4-0 on Saturday, the Associated Press reported.
Milan’s only other league defeat was at home to Napoli on September 18. He has also not lost a match away from home in the Italian league in more than a year.
The Rossoneri host Salzburg in the Champions League on Wednesday and need a point to advance to the round of 16.
“We are disappointed because we lost valuable points,” Milan coach Stefano Pioli said. “Tonight’s match was important to stay in second place and not stray too far from Napoli, who are having an exceptional season.
“We have to put this bad defeat behind us and focus directly on Wednesday’s match. I expect an aggressive Salzburg team, but with a different mentality and style of play than Torino.”
It was Torino’s second surprise after their surprise victory over Udinese last week to end a five-match streak without a win.
Rafael Liao had scored in his previous two matches but missed two easy chances early and Torino took a surprise lead in the 35th minute when a free kick kicked into the right corner.
Things quickly went from bad to worse for Milan as a long goal kick was knocked out and Nikola Vlasic handed it over to Miranchuk for a shot into the lower right corner.
Milan were given a way back into the game in the second half when Milinkovi-Savi decided to walk out of the penalty area but failed to reach the ball, as was teammate Alessandro Bongiorno. Messias threw the ball into an empty net.
The Torino players and the substitute were angry because they felt Messias had pushed over Buongiorno but the goal was scored.
Torino coach Ivan Juric was fired after five minutes for continuing his protests.
amazing goal
Atalanta managed to recover from its first defeat of the season against Lazio last week, despite saving a penalty.
I took the lead against Empoli in the 32nd minute when Teon Kompiners pulled the ball from the sideline in favor of Ademola Lookman. His shot was directed down but it came to Hans Hatebor at the back post for an angled shot into the far bottom corner.
Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario saved a number of saves with the most impressive of them being when he managed to stop Kompminers’ penalty kick with his leg as he fell to his right.
The penalty was awarded three minutes before the end of the first half after a lengthy VAR check, after Lookman’s free kick hit the elbow of Empoli striker Mattia Destro.
Atalanta doubled their lead in the 59th minute with a stunning individual goal from Lookman, who controlled the ball to the left of the area, and dribbled past three Empoli players until he found a gap and drilled a shot into the lower left corner.
Atalanta’s Duvan Zapata’s goal was also ruled out for offside, as did Empoli defender Tyrone Eboue late on.
Lazio Considis
Lazio conceded their first Serie A goal in nearly two months as they unexpectedly lost 3-1 at home to Salernitana.
Mattia Zakani fired Lazio ahead shortly before the break, but second-half goals from former Lazio midfielder Antonio Candreva, Federico Fazio and Bolai Dia gave Salernitana their third win in four matches.
Lazio had only allowed five goals in their previous 11 Serie A matches and had not conceded any in their last six Serie A matches. It beats Fifth-placed Inter Milan on goal difference.
Salernitana is tenth after her first-ever victory at the Olympic Stadium.
The late goal also saw Fiorentina win 2-1 over the 10-man Spezia and scored their first win in five league matches.
Udinese tied 0-0 with bottom club Cremonese.