Paulo Fonseca’s first Serie A match in charge of Milan is set to bring some surprises, particularly in the attack. The coach has hinted that Álvaro Morata, who has only been training with the team for a few days, might not start. Instead, Luka Jovic is the frontrunner for the starting spot against Torino. Morata did play from the start in a recent friendly against Monza, but he is not at full fitness after a delayed post-European Championship break, and the same goes for Tijjani Reijnders and Strahinja Pavlovic.
In his press conference, Fonseca praised Jovic’s pre-season performance, indicating that his impressive form has earned him the nod to lead the line. In midfield, the anticipated duo of Ismaël Bennacer and Ruben Loftus-Cheek is expected to start, with Yunus Musah likely on the bench. Fonseca clarified that both Reijnders and Pavlovic are scheduled to come on in the second half since they aren’t in peak physical condition to start the match.
As for the midfield setup, Bennacer and Loftus-Cheek will play alongside Christian Pulisic in an advanced role, where Pulisic will provide additional support when needed. The defensive lineup seems straightforward, with Davide Calabria on the right and Theo Hernandez on the left, while Malick Thiaw is favored over Matteo Gabbia to partner with Fikayo Tomori at center-back.
Milan’s defense will face a challenging task against Torino’s attacking threats, including Duvan Zapata, Ché Adams, and Tonny Sanabria. Paolo Vanoli, Torino’s manager, is expected to deploy two forwards from the start, adding to the difficulty for Milan’s backline. Overall, Fonseca has a promising yet strategic approach as he begins his tenure, keeping an eye on player fitness while looking to secure an important early-season victory.