Torino vs AC Milan Predicted Lineups and Team News – Serie A

Torino and AC Milan open their 2026 Serie A campaigns at Stadio Olimpico di Torino in a fixture that already carries weight for both clubs. With the table still blank – both sides on 0 points and 0 goals scored or conceded – this is about setting the tone for the season rather than protecting a position. Torino are currently listed 18th and AC Milan 12th purely on pre-season ranking, but the real story starts here.

Recent head-to-head meetings suggest a genuinely competitive matchup. Across the last ten clashes in league and cup, Torino have claimed notable home wins, while AC Milan have edged several high-scoring encounters, including a 3-2 victory in Milan as recently as March 2026. With no current-season form to lean on and win probabilities essentially split at 33% home, 33% draw and 33% away, this is a rare Serie A game where the models see almost no clear favourite.

That puts extra focus on predicted lineups and the expected starting lineup choices from both coaches. Squad depth, early-season fitness and a handful of injuries and questionable players could tilt the balance in a match where margins are historically thin between Torino and AC Milan.

Torino Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Torino enter the opener with a largely intact squad but do have one confirmed absence and one key doubt. Goalkeeper F. Israel is ruled out with a shoulder injury and will not feature. Defender E. Cömert is listed as questionable with an unspecified injury, so his inclusion in the starting lineup is uncertain and he must be treated as a doubt rather than a lock for the XI.

With no recent league form to reference for this season, Torino are expected to lean on continuity and physical intensity at home. The coach is likely to prioritise a compact defensive block supported by a hard-working midfield, while relying on experienced forwards like D. Zapata and G. Simeone to provide penalty-box presence. The expected approach will be pragmatic but proactive, aiming to exploit AC Milan’s defensive reshuffle and make Stadio Olimpico di Torino a difficult venue from day one.

Torino Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: A. Paleari
DF: C. Biraghi; Saúl Coco; A. Ismajli; C. Bianay Balcot
MF: M. Pedersen; I. Ilić; G. Gineitis; N. Vlašić
FW: D. Zapata; G. Simeone

This predicted lineup for Torino balances experience and physicality. With F. Israel unavailable, A. Paleari is the logical choice in goal, backed up by a back line built around the left-footed delivery of C. Biraghi and the defensive presence of Saúl Coco and A. Ismajli in central areas. C. Bianay Balcot offers energy and recovery speed on the right, important against AC Milan’s wide attackers.

In midfield, M. Pedersen and I. Ilić give Torino a mix of work rate and passing range, while G. Gineitis can shuttle between the lines. N. Vlašić, nominally listed as an attacker, is expected to operate as the advanced creative link, drifting between midfield and attack to connect play and arrive late in the box. Up front, the pairing of D. Zapata and G. Simeone provides a double threat: Zapata as the powerful target man who can pin centre-backs, and Simeone as a more mobile, pressing forward who thrives on second balls and quick combinations around the area. Without official form or scoring charts yet, Torino’s attacking identity will likely revolve around these two.

AC Milan Team News & Expected Lineups Today

AC Milan travel to Turin with more significant selection issues to manage. Midfielder Y. Fofana, defender F. Tomori and attacker C. Nkunku are all listed as inactive and will miss this fixture. In attack, S. Giménez (ankle injury), R. Leao (muscle injury) and C. Pulisic (broken leg) are all questionable rather than definitively ruled out, creating major uncertainty in the forward line and complicating any attempt to lock in lineups today.

The absence of Tomori at the back and Fofana in midfield removes two potential starters, so the expected starting lineup will likely lean heavily on established figures such as M. Maignan, P. Estupiñán and experienced midfielders like L. Modrić and A. Rabiot. With several of their most explosive forwards doubtful, AC Milan may adopt a slightly more controlled, possession-oriented approach, using their midfield quality to dictate tempo and limit transitions rather than playing an all-out attacking game from the start.

AC Milan Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: M. Maignan
DF: P. Estupiñán; M. Gabbia; Mario Gila; S. Pavlović
MF: A. Rabiot; L. Modrić; R. Loftus-Cheek; Y. Musah
FW: S. Chukwueze; Gonçalo Ramos

M. Maignan is the clear first-choice goalkeeper and should start behind a back four anchored by M. Gabbia and Mario Gila in central defence, with P. Estupiñán providing thrust from left-back and S. Pavlović offering size and defensive stability on the right. With F. Tomori unavailable, this combination maximises experience and balance in the defensive unit.

In midfield, A. Rabiot and L. Modrić give AC Milan an elite blend of control, ball-winning and distribution. R. Loftus-Cheek and Y. Musah can operate as advanced or wide midfielders, driving forward with the ball and supporting both phases. Up front, S. Chukwueze’s direct dribbling and inside runs from the right should be a major outlet, while Gonçalo Ramos is the natural focal point at centre-forward, tasked with finishing moves and pressing Torino’s centre-backs. With S. Giménez, R. Leao and C. Pulisic all listed as questionable, this predicted lineup assumes a slightly more conservative front line built around available, fit attackers rather than risking half-fit stars from the start.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

Absences and doubts are likely to shape the tactical dynamic more for AC Milan than for Torino. Torino’s only confirmed missing player is their goalkeeper F. Israel, while E. Cömert’s questionable status may alter defensive rotation but not the core structure. AC Milan, by contrast, are without key pieces in every line and must manage several high-impact attacking doubts, which could blunt their usual cutting edge.

Torino Absences:

• F. Israel — Shoulder Injury (Missing Fixture)
• E. Cömert — Injury (Questionable)

AC Milan Absences:

• Y. Fofana — Inactive (Missing Fixture)
• C. Nkunku — Inactive (Missing Fixture)
• F. Tomori — Inactive (Missing Fixture)
• S. Giménez — Ankle Injury (Questionable)
• R. Leao — Muscle Injury (Questionable)
• C. Pulisic — Broken Leg (Questionable)

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

On paper, Torino’s predicted setup is built around a strong central spine and dual strikers. The combination of Ilić, Gineitis and Vlašić between the lines should give them enough technical quality to play through pressure, while Zapata and Simeone occupy and stretch AC Milan’s centre-backs. The wide areas will be crucial: Biraghi’s crossing from the left and Bianay Balcot’s energy on the right can overload AC Milan’s full-backs, especially if Torino manage to pin Rabiot and Modrić deeper than they would like.

AC Milan’s predicted XI, however, has a clear advantage in midfield control. Modrić’s game management, paired with Rabiot’s physical presence and Loftus-Cheek’s ball-carrying, could allow them to dominate possession phases and force Torino to defend in a compact block. Out wide, the duel between S. Chukwueze and Biraghi is a key matchup: if Chukwueze can consistently isolate and beat his man, Torino’s back line may be forced to collapse centrally, opening space for late runs from Musah or Loftus-Cheek. Conversely, Torino will target crosses and set pieces toward Zapata and Simeone against Gabbia and Mario Gila, an area where the home side’s physical forwards could cause problems.

Match Prediction and Verdict

With both teams yet to play a league match this season and the prediction model giving an even 33% chance to each of home win, draw and away win, this fixture is unusually balanced on paper. AC Milan’s squad has greater top-end quality, particularly in midfield, but their confirmed absences and multiple attacking doubts reduce their margin for error, especially away from home.

Torino, historically competitive in this matchup at home, should be able to turn this into a physical, closely contested game, leaning heavily on Zapata and Simeone to trouble an AC Milan defence missing Tomori. Given the evenly split win probabilities, the safest analytical call is a stalemate, with both sides finding the net but neither able to fully impose themselves across 90 minutes.

Predicted Outcome: Torino 1–1 AC Milan

How to Watch Torino vs AC Milan Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

• Spain: Local sports pay-TV channel / streaming platform
• UK: Major sports broadcaster or official Serie A rights holder
• USA / North America: Subscription streaming service carrying Serie A
• South America: Regional sports network with Serie A coverage
• MENA: Satellite sports network or official Serie A streaming partner