Olivier Giroud’s superb header saw Milan end a five-game winless streak in Serie A but Zlatan Ibrahimovic had to wait for his comeback in a 1-0 victory over Torino.
Milan, playing their 3,000th Serie A game, had lost their last four matches in all competitions heading into Friday’s tussle at San Siro but they came away with the points thanks to Giroud’s moment of quality.
Theo Hernandez teed up that goal but then missed a golden chance to double Milan’s lead.
However, the champions held firm to get back on the winning trail, ensuring the only disappointment for the home fans was that veteran forward Ibrahimovic — back from injury — did not come on from the bench for his first appearance since May last year.
With Ibrahimovic poised on the bench, the first half in Milan unfurled more like a warm-up support show before the headline act.
Giroud and Antonio Sanabria lodged the only on-target shots of a low-wattage opening half, with the Milan strikers’ header snuffed out by visiting goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic in the 29th minute.
Having resisted the urge to call on Ibrahimovic, Stefano Pioli was rewarded by an improved display after the break, with Milinkovic-Savic almost spilling Giroud’s low effort over the line.
Milan’s breakthrough came just after the hour, however, with Giroud rocketing a header home from Hernandez’s cross.
Hernandez should have settled the nerves for Milan after latching onto Pierre Kalulu’s excellent pass in the 76th minute, only to drill wide of a gaping goal.
Fortunately for Hernandez, Torino could not make Milan pay as the Rossoneri extended their unbeaten home run against them to 27 Serie A matches.
