Chukwueze shines as Milan beat Torino 2-1

Samuel Chukwueze was named Man of the Match after helping AC Milan secure a 2-1 victory over Torino at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Sunday, providing the decisive assist as Ruben Amorim began his Serie A reign with an encouraging away win.

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The Nigeria international started on the right side of Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation and produced an influential display in an unfamiliar wing-back role.

Chukwueze’s most important contribution came in the 66th minute, when the 27-year-old delivered a precise left-footed cross towards the far post. Adrien Rabiot arrived at the right moment to finish and put Milan 2-0 ahead.

The assist capped a lively performance from Chukwueze, who repeatedly stretched Torino’s defence with his pace and willingness to attack space.

According to reports on the match, Chukwueze created four chances, the most of any player, while his nine touches in Torino’s penalty area were joint-most in the game. His performance earned him the official Man of the Match recognition.

The performance was particularly significant given Chukwueze’s recent return to Milan following a loan spell at Fulham in the Premier League last season.

His future at San Siro had attracted attention during the summer, but the opening-day display offered a powerful reminder of the attacking qualities that convinced Milan to sign him from Villarreal.

Chukwueze was not the only Milan player to make an impression.

Nineteen-year-old Alphadjo Cissé opened the scoring in the 64th minute after Rabiot supplied the assist. Two minutes later, Rabiot returned the favour, converting Chukwueze’s cross to give Milan a two-goal advantage.

Torino eventually reduced the deficit through Che Adams in stoppage time, but Milan held on for three points.

Milan’s official statistics showed that the victory ended a wait for an opening-day Serie A win stretching back to August 2023. The club also noted that Chukwueze has now contributed three goals, all assists, in his last four Serie A appearances, matching the number of assists he produced across his previous 25 league appearances.

That statistic gives useful context to the Nigerian’s resurgence.

Rather than simply providing width, Chukwueze was an important outlet for Milan throughout the contest. His ability to accelerate from the flank gave Torino problems, particularly during Milan’s dominant spells.

The tactical decision to use Chukwueze as a wing-back also offers an early indication of Amorim’s willingness to use the Nigerian’s pace and attacking instincts within his system.

Amorim, who took charge after Milan’s disappointing fifth-place finish last season, could hardly have asked for a better competitive beginning. Milan controlled much of the match and recorded 19 attempts to Torino’s seven, while enjoying around 60 per cent possession.

The victory was not without late anxiety.

Torino grew more dangerous after Milan’s second goal and hit the post through Njie before Adams eventually found the net deep into stoppage time. Milan nevertheless protected their advantage to secure an important opening victory.

For Chukwueze, the evening represented more than an individual award.

The Nigerian winger returned to Milan with a fresh opportunity to establish himself under a new manager, and his contribution in Turin immediately strengthened the case for a more prominent role.

Milan will now turn their attention to their next Serie A fixture against Venezia at San Siro. Chukwueze will hope that his performance in Turin is the beginning of a productive campaign rather than simply an impressive opening night.

For Amorim, the result provides three points and early evidence that his new-look Milan side can combine structure with attacking threat.