The first game of the season is just around the corner, as AC Milan face Torino at the San Siro tonight. The Rossoneri have had a positive pre-season but tonight all eyes are on the result. So what are the key matchups of the game?

Since it is Fonseca’s first game as coach of Milan, the first official game, we should say in advance that there are still some Uncertainties regarding the starting elevenBelow we have selected five key matchups between players that we believe should start regardless of these uncertainties.

The key battles

Fikayo Tomori will be an important player this season, provided he improves, and today’s game will be a good litmus test for the Englishman. He is not as strong in the air as Malick Thiaw and Matteo Gabbia, so Duvan Zapata will probably target him for the flanks.

Further up the field, Ruben Loftus-Cheek will start in tandem and his movement will be decisive. Samuele Ricci will be on the same side of the pitch and in possession of the ball. He can be very good, meaning the former Chelsea midfielder will have to effectively control him when needed.

In role no. 10 Christian Pulisic will try to cause problems for Torino and although we do not doubt his technique, he will do it with Karol Linetty who is hardworking and physically fit. Therefore, the American must choose his movements wisely.

Rafael Leao will try to make his game more consistent this season and tonight he will face Raoul Bellanova, but also Mergim Vojvoda. The latter will play as a centre-back in the back three, even though he is not one, so it will be a very interesting battle.

Regardless of who starts in attack for Milan, it will be a challenge for Torino’s new signing Saul CocoHe previously played for Las Palmas and is therefore completely new to the league, which Luka Jovic could make the most of it. And Alvaro Morata knows him from his time in La Liga.