AC Milan make their competitive debut under Ruben Amorim at Torino, and the selection news is defined by absences. Rafael Leão is injured and does not make the trip, Adrien Rabiot is only ready for the bench, and Gonçalo Ramos gets a start in the first competitive XI of the new era.

Milan's team news under Amorim

Football Italia's preview said Milan's competitive debut under Ruben Amorim includes Goncalo Ramos, Mario Gila and Ruben Loftus-Cheek for the trip to Torino, but Rafael Leao is out. The same preview described the Rossoneri as still very much a work in progress after a poor pre-season, with the win over Amorim's old club Manchester United the one clear lift before the league opener.

The numbers fit that reading. Leão has made only five appearances in 2026, so Milan are not carrying much rhythm from him into this match. Milan finished fifth in Serie A last season with 70 points from 38 matches, but their last five league results were LWLLD, which is a messy run to hand over to a new coach.

Torino's own issues

Torino are not coming into Torino vs AC Milan in ideal shape either. They finished 12th last season with a negative goal difference, and their last five league results were DLWLD. That leaves both sides with reasons to treat the opener as a first look rather than a polished one.

The venue has its own complication. Torino squeezed past Carrarese 1-0 in the Coppa Italia last week through a Giovanni Simeone penalty, and the pitch at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino was in a dismal state during that game and remains rather patchy despite emergency repairs. Football Italia also reported fresh arrivals Pietro Comuzzo and Kian Fitz-Jim go straight into the Torino starting XI again, with Giovanni Simeone preferred to Che Adams.

Milan's focus will be on getting through the first competitive test under Amorim without Leao, while Rabiot waits for more football than the bench can give him. The opener in Turin is set for 23 August, and the first choice XI already tells you this is still a side being put together.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →