Ruben Amorim's competitive tenure at AC Milan began with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Torino on Saturday night, as two goals in three second-half minutes silenced the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino and handed the Portuguese coach a winning start to the 2026-27 Serie A campaign.
After a cautious opening hour in which neither side managed to seize control, the match erupted when Amorim turned to his bench. Adrien Rabiot, only just returned from his summer break, entered the fray around the hour mark and immediately transformed Milan's attacking rhythm. His first meaningful touch released Alphadjo Cissé down the left channel, and the young forward made no mistake, driving a low finish past Vanja Milinkovic-Savic to open the scoring in the 64th minute.
The goal was Cissé's first in Serie A, a milestone moment for a player who had been largely used in the youth setup before this season. For Amorim, it was vindication of his faith in giving young talent meaningful minutes in the first team.
Milan's second arrived almost immediately. Just three minutes after Cissé's breakthrough, Rabiot got on the scoresheet himself, finishing smartly after a flowing team move that carved open Torino's defence. The Frenchman's composed strike underlined his quality and suggested Milan's midfield depth could be a decisive factor this season.
Torino, managed by Davide Abate in his first full campaign in charge, had struggled to create clear-cut chances for much of the evening. But the hosts refused to capitulate. Duvan Adams pulled a goal back deep into stoppage time with a fine individual effort, ensuring a nervy finish for the visiting contingent. Ultimately, though, it was too little too late.
The result carries significance beyond the three points. For Amorim, who arrived from Sporting CP during the summer to rebuild Milan after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign, it provides an immediate foundation of confidence. His tactical approach — pressing high, rotating fluidly, and trusting substitutes to change games — was evident from the opening whistle.
For Torino and Abate, it is a reminder that the margins in Serie A remain razor-thin. The Granata showed spirit but lacked the cutting edge needed to trouble a well-organised Milan rearguard for long periods.
The win lifts Milan to the top of the early Serie A table on goal difference, while Torino must regroup ahead of their next fixture. As the season unfolds, this match may well be remembered as the moment Amorim's Milan announced themselves as serious contenders.
Sources
- https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Milan/23-08-2026/torino-milan-live-risultato-e-gol-in-diretta-serie-a.shtml
- https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/sport/calcio/2026/08/23/cisse-sblocca-il-milan-con-il-torino-la-prima-vittoria-di-amorim_6aed75e5-f7cb-41f2-9e3d-f5aed0e95650.html
