AC Milan travelled to Torino tonight with debutant Kaka in tow, looking to avoid a repeat of the humiliating defeat suffered at Hellas Verona on the opening day of the new Serie A campaign.
Torino were full of confidence from the outset and took the lead early in the second half through Danilo D'Ambrosio.
Alessio Cerci doubled their advantage 20 minutes from time, but Sully Muntari set up a dramatic finish as a freak late goal reduced the deficit.
Five minutes into stoppage time the match took a miraculous late twist as Milan were awarded a penalty, which Mario Balotelli duly dispatched to leave the scores level.
Look back a pulsating clash at the Olimpico with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute coverage below.
Evening Calcio fans. Thanks for joining Sports Mole as round three from Serie A continues with AC Milan's trip to Torino, as the Rossoneri go in search of a second successive league victory.
Milan have enjoyed a mixed start to the campaign, which began with a shock defeat at newly-promoted Hellas Verona. Massimiliano Allegri's men responded by cruising past Cagliari a week later, but it's games like tonight that will test whether they are capable of mounting a serious title challenge this season, as a tricky trip to Torino awaits.
Allegri did of course receive a huge boost just before the transfer window closed, with Brazilian playmaker Kaka rejoining the club after finding first-team opportunities limited at Real Madrid. Kaka could make a second Serie A debut this evening, but will be under instant pressure to recapture something like the glittering form which saw him become a darling of the San Siro a few years ago.
Milan are of course still heavily reliant on Mario Balotelli, who has been nothing short of sensational since signing in January. The signings of Kaka and Alessandro Matri has seen Allegri make a conscious effort to strengthen in attack, but it remains to be discovered if failing to recruit defensive reinforcements will prove costly.
Preparations for this weekend's return to domestic action for Milan have been blighted by injury. First choice full-backs Abate and De Sciglio are both out this evening, while El Shaarawy is extremely unlikely to feature as an injury crisis at the San Siro deepens.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! We have just received the starting XI's from the Olimpico and as expected Kaka goes straight into the Milan side, playing behind Balotelli and Robinho in attack. A full look at both starting lineup's will follow in just a few moments.
MILAN XI: Abbiati, Zaccardo, Zapata, Mexes, Emanuelson, Montolivo, De Jong, Muntari, Kakà, Robinho, Balotelli
TORINO XI: Padelli, Glick, Bovo, Moretti, Darmian, Brighi, Vives, El Kaddouri, D'Ambrosio, Cerci, Immobile
Kaka's inclusion will take the headlines for Milan but Cristian Zaccardo's rare start at right-back is also worth noting. Urby Emanuelson has also been forced to cover on the opposite side. Still no full debut for Matri, with Robinho keeping his place in a reshaped three-man attack after scoring last week.
Torino have received a huge boost ahead of tonight's match, with their talisman Alessio Cerci passed fit to start. The Italian international has been moved into attack in recent weeks by Giampiero Ventura, and will likely continue their this evening alongside Ciro Immobile.
Ventura is certainly a manager not afraid to mix things up, switching from a fluid 4-2-4 used last season in preference of a 3-5-2 formation early on this year. You never quite know what to expect from Torino, but if Cerci is on song they can be very difficult to beat, especially at the Olimpico.
PREDICTION: Kaka's return adds an interesting dimension to proceedings, but I expect Torino to offer strong opposition this evening. With Milan weakened down both flanks the hosts are more than capable of scoring, but I'll go for Balotelli to net in a 2-1 win for Allegri's patched-up side.
Both sides are out and we are just about ready to get underway in a raucous atmosphere at the Olimpico, with a traditional rivalry between sides from Milan and Turin there for all to see.
Here we go then, with Milan kicking off in a changed all-white strip, shooting from right to left.
Early pressure from Milan as they make a confident start in possession, with Montolivo and Balotelli combining down the right flank. The former's cross nearly finds Robinho at the far post, with Glik just able to hack clear with a covering challenge.
Cerci shows terrific pace to sprint past De Jong down the right wing as Torino break with purpose out wide, but his terrific burst and cross go unrewarded as Zapata shanks clear. Immobile was too slow to react there, as Kaka quickly wins a corner with a swift turn and shot at the other end. A high-tempo start at both ends!
Torino are set up perfectly to counter down both wings as proved this time by El Kaddouri, who bursts free on the left before switching to Immobile. His flick header inside is aimed towards Cerci, but De Jong intelligently covers to scramble away.
The hosts confidently keep possession and eventually find D'Ambrosio out wide. His switch inside finds El Kaddouri in space 25 yards from goal, with his speculative drive always drifting well wide of the far post.
Smart work from Balotelli and Muntari eventually picks out Montolivo just outside the box, with his first-time drive hit low and hard but straight down the throat of Padelli, who gathers easily.
Milan have now settled on the ball after a shaky start, with Balotelli just unable to flick inside towards Kaka thanks to an interception from Moretti.
A strong run forward from Zaccardo sees the full-back control inside the penalty area, before firing a scuffed shot through to a relieved goalkeeper. Torino allowed the defender to drift through unchallenged there and must be careful not to leave themselves open against quality opposition.
Kaka just had a chance to slice open Torino's backline there, with a three-man defence caught holding a hopeless offside line too high up the field. The Brazilian spotted Montolivo sprinting forwards but couldn't find a pass to match, with Gilk just able to cut out the impending danger.
Montolivo attempts a straight pass that was never on, allowing Torino to regroup as Vives and Brighi choose to retain possession from deep. Allegri's side do look slightly disjointed in a new 4-3-1-2 formation, with Kaka behind Robinho and Balotelli.
Bovo turns behind for a corner kick to stop Kaka racing onto Montolivo's low cross into the six-yard box. From the following corner Robinho's delivery is headed away by Brighi, with a promising Torino counter snuffed out again by De Jong, who tracked the forward dart from Cerci at the far post.
Torino boss Ventura is furious on the touchline after the referee failed to spot Muntuari kicking Darmian rather than the ball out wide, allowing play to continue. Eventually the midfielder receives treatment, but is soon back on his feet and fine to continue.
The hosts win a free kick just wide of the penalty area, for handball against Emanuelson. Cerci smashes across goal from the set piece, but once again De Jong is the man on the spot to hack away.
Immobile's wild strike wide from 30 yards ends a fine spell of possession from Torino, who have stamped their mark on the match in the last five minutes. Plenty to ponder for Milan, who are struggling to provide Balotelli with meaningful service in the final third.
Cerci drifts inside to launch another attack, before quickly driving down the right to win a throw-in high up the pitch. Unfortunately any hopes of keeping possession are quickly ended by Glik, who lacks composure as he hoists a rash cross straight through to a grateful Abbiati.
Robinho just leaves a stray challenge on Brighi, who makes the most of partial contact to win a free kick for Torino. Cerci takes advantage and cuts back to Vives, who wastes a chance to shoot by hesitating and taking an extra touch.
Milan come forward but a break down the left is stopped as Kaka goes through the back of Darmian. Both sides are committing fouls freely as we head towards the interval, with Milan still unable to get their creative players on the ball.
Balotelli comes deep to find Emanuelson, but his stray pass inside stops Muntari's dart towards the penalty area coming to anything meaningful. Moretti then concedes a free kick by barging into the back of Balotelli, giving the visitors a rare set-piece opportunity just before the break.
An inviting Milan cross finds the head of Robinho, who fails to connect properly with an effort that quickly flies well beyond Padelli's far post. The visitors then attack again as Montolivo dribbles forward, but a heavy stretch to control sees the Milan skipper pull up with what looks like a muscle injury.
SUBSTITUTION: Montolivo will play no further part as Poli is quickly on in his place. The midfielder's first job is to help defend a free kick, which was given after a cynical foul from Zapata which saw the defender cautioned.
HALF TIME Torino 0-0 Milan
Well that was hardly vintage stuff from Milan, who failed to get Robinho, Balotelli and Kaka working in harmony. Torino have worked hard and look a threat on the counter, so plenty of encouragement for Ventura at the break.
Milan have definitely lacked width so far this evening in a new system, with 4-3-3 ditched in favour of a two-man strikeforce, supported by Kaka in an advanced position. The Brazilian has been a willing runner in his second Milan debut, but has largely been unable to get on the ball.
Cerci has been the brightest player by far in that first period, drifting into dangerous areas out wide and showing pace and purpose in his forward runs. The Italy international has lacked support at times, but the hosts have plenty to be positive about ahead of the second period.
SERIE A UPDATE! Just a quick mention of tonight's other match currently at half-time in Italy, with one of Milan's closest rivals Napoli currently goalless at home to Atalanta. With Juve dropping points in a 1-1 draw against Inter earlier this evening Allegri's side really must take advantage by claiming maximum points, even this early in the season.
Both sides are back out as Torino get the second period underway, immediately passing back for Padelli to smash out of play, allowing Milan to retrieve possession.
GOAL! Torino 1-0 Milan (D'Ambrosio)
With their first shot of the second half Torino have a lead their efforts have more than merited. Left wing-back D'Ambrosio is the man who steps up, cutting inside Zaccardo before unleashing a powerful shot that flew inside the near post. Abbiati will be very disappointed to be beaten from that angle but was let down by some inept defending, with Milan trailing and in desperate need of a a quick reaction. Advantage Torino!
A perfectly-timed tackle from Zapata stops Cerci from breaking clear as Milan are nearly exposed once again. Immobile then recycles possession and aims for Cerci out wide, but the Azzurri winger has drifted into an offside position.
Emanuelson times his tackle on Cerci inside the area brilliantly, which is lucky because his sliding challenge was a touch rash. Muntari then shows some frustration as he flies in on Brighi, and is rather fortunate to escape without a caution.
min SUBSTITUTION: Milan make a change in attack as Matri replaces Robinho for his second appearance of the campaign. Allegri has decided against any change in formation, which is a touch surprising, as the striker goes straight up top alongside Balotelli.
YELLOW CARD! Muntari finally gets booked after bundling into the back of Cerci, with his caution for accumulation of fouls more than anything else. That foul gives Torino a free kick around 30 yards from goal, which Cerci sends just past the near post.
Poli's flick inside towards Matri is blocked behind for a corner kick. Torino intially clear the cross but a superb backheel from Matri finds Balotelli when the ball is played back into the danger zone. The forward has time but is always leaning back, blazing well over from a tight angle.
Kaka appeals to the away fans for backing as he goes across to take a corner kick, but his effort is woeful and easilt claimed by Padelli. At the other end D'Ambrosio bursts free out wide and settles for a corner of his own, which gives the Torino defence a welcome breather after a spell of pressure.
YELLOW CARD! El Kaddouri gets booked for cynically stopping Emaneulson getting free on the counter, pushing the full-back over before leaning across the ball. Torino have worked hard and need to dig in now, with Milan in fairness still struggling to create clear-cut opportunities.
SUBSTITUTION: Kaka smashes well over from 25 yards and that proves to be his last action of the night. A rather forgettable second debut for the Brazilian as he is replaced by Valter Birsa, who comes on for his Milan bow.
GOAL! Torino 2-0 Milan (Cerci)
Torino catch Milan cold on the counter and extend their advantage through Cerci, who keeps his composure to beat Abbiati from close range. The forward was put clean through by a clever pass from Immobile, racing though before chipping the onrushing Milan keeper with a finish full of poise and composure. What a moment for Torino, who will surely now get their first win over Milan for 12 years!
SAVE! What an unbelievable stop from Padelli, who somehow keeps Balotelli at bay from six yards. The forward looked to have beaten the keeper from close range, but an outstretched right hand plucked the ball out of the air and into the Torino stopper's grasp. Balotelli kicks the ground in frustration and well he should, what a golden opportunity wasted!
SUBSTITUTION: Quite surprisingly Torino have decided to bring off Cerci, who has been absolutely sensational this evening, a constant thorn in Milan's side. On comes Larrondo for the final push, providing fresh legs in attack.
SUBSTITUTION: Torino make another change to run down the clock, with Pasquale replacing the goalscorer D'Ambrosio.
Immobile goes down under a late challenge from De Jong and rather wisely decides to stay on the deck, running down the clock in the process. De Jong then bundles over Larrondo less than a minute later, with Vives eventually smashing the ball out of play so his teammate can receive treatment, for what looked like a stray elbow.
GOAL! Torino 2-1 Milan (Muntari)
Absolute chaos as Milan get possibly the most freakish goal of the season for a late lifeline. It all started with Padelli punching clear of Balotelli, who was in an offside position. Muntari scuffed a low shot tricking into the bottom corner, via the aid of deflection, which just about found the net. Torino want the ball pulled back for offside against Balotelli, but despite attempting to play on with a free-kick the bizarre goal is eventually given. Still time for Milan to find a late leveller here too, what drama.
Four minutes of added time then for Milan to fight back, but terrific pressure from Larrondo forces Zapata to gift Torino a free kick near the corner flag. Time for cool heads from the hosts, as they look to close out a victory they fully deserve.
PENALTY TO MILAN! An incredible end to the match as Poli goes down in the area under a challenge from Pasquale, winning a spot kick deep into added time. A terrible challenge which gives Balotelli the chance to equalise from the spot.
Allegri can't bear to watch but after a two-minute delay Balotelli is about to step up!
GOAL! Torino 2-2 Milan (Balotelli)
Balotelli calmly slots into the far corner with the match as chaos descends. Torino are absolutely livid as both coaches come on the field, but there was definitely still time on the clock as the referee decides to call time on the match. Madness!
FULL TIME Torino 2-2 Milan
Well as Torino continue to harass the referee we have time to pause for breath after a shambolic ending to the match. Milan played poorly but come away with a dramatic point, after Balotelli's ice-cool penalty deep into injury time.
Torino deserved all three points but somehow contrived to shoot themselves in the foot, conceding what was an absolute stone-wall penalty in the final minute of stoppage time. Allegri's blushes spared by the slimmest of margins.
Well that just concludes a thoroughly entertaining night of Serie A action. Thanks for your time and be sure to return tomorrow when the Calcio returns with a packed day of fixtures, including the Genoa derby. Goodnight!
