After his side beat Manchester United by four goals to two, AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim spoke to the media.
There were a lot of eyes on this game. Milan needed a win to avoid leaving pre-season empty-handed, and there was a chance for Amorim to get one over on his previous side, a chance to show that he was not the problem.
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They very much did win, too, and they did it in Amorim’s way. The Rossoneri were impressive, playing a nice brand of football and looking to pile pressure onto their opponents throughout the game. Scoring four goals certainly eased fears about over-relying on players, too.
All in all, a very good day at the office for the Diavolo and for Amorim, who will personally be pretty pleased with the result and who it came against.
Amorim speaks after Man Utd dismantling
Speaking to Sky Sport after the game, the Portuguese coach discussed several topics, ranging from today’s win against Manchester United to the late returnees to Milanello, as MilanNews relays.
Did the best performance of the summer come at the right time?
“Of course, but today’s result doesn’t matter, because what matters is winning on Sunday against Torino, which will be a completely different match than today’s. We had more space to play today.
“So, it will be different, but obviously the team’s feeling is completely different when you win than when you win by playing well. However, I think we have to worry about the way we’re conceding goals. Because we’re giving away goals, both against Celtic and today.
“But otherwise, I think we’re improving, but it doesn’t matter. Preseason doesn’t matter, we have to win next season.”
You beat your former team. Do you feel anything special after this victory?
“No. For me, it was a normal match. Since I signed with Milan, I haven’t felt anything for Manchester United. I’m just proud to have been at Manchester United and I still love the club, but after signing with Milan, I don’t feel anything negative about anything because I’m very happy, because I’m where I want to be. I just want to continue here.
“Of course, it was special to play against them again, but I wanted to win a game this preseason to present ourselves well in our league, to give our fans a good image, so they can support us in our first match.”
In recent days, the decision to exclude some players from the project has made headlines…
“All four of them did really well during the preseason, but we have to make some choices. We’re changing, and I think it’s important to really change right now because we’re at the beginning of a project.
“We have some young players who will have space, and I have to create it for them. I still want to emphasize that they did really well during the preseason. However, as I told you when we got back from Jakarta, we have to prepare for the season. And with almost 40 players, it’s impossible to prepare.
“So I feel sorry for the boys, but we have to do it. And there’s another thing I want to say…”
The holiday…
“Another thing I want to say is about Mike, Rabiot, [both were given an extended break] and Modric’s [benched for today’s game] situation. Rabiot, Modric, and Maignan had more days off because they played more. That was important to me.
“Everyone complains about the number of games and the players being unable to cope with the strain, and I gave the players those extra days because I already knew they wouldn’t be able to play today’s match. So I gave them three more days. Nothing will change. And it’s really important for me to say that it was my decision, not the players’.
“They want to train. Tomorrow they’ll be at Milanello preparing for the first match. They had a full schedule and followed the schedule, because we have proof that they did. So I want to make this really clear, because I think it’s important.”
Will Maignan already be able to play against Torino?
“It’s a different position. He’s been training all the time. If you look at the number of games he’s played in recent seasons with Milan, he plays every game. He’ll be ready for the first match because it’s a different position.
“We’ll evaluate Rabiot. Rabiot is a really important player for us. But, as we showed today, we have to be confident. We need to rest the players who need rest because it will be a very demanding season. We also have other players ready to play, but I think they’ll be ready to contribute in the next match.”
Will Leao recover for Torino?
“I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t think it’s a big deal, but I don’t know if he’ll be ready.”
And what about his future?
“I don’t know. But he’s our player. As I said, we’re really happy with him. He’s a really expensive player. So we’ll see, but he has to fight. I think Alpha, with the way he’s played, will make things difficult.
“Saelemaekers has changed positions; it’ll be tough. We have Pulisic coming back. So we have a lot of players and they’ll be fighting for a place.”
Will you ask for new signings after this victory?
“Now we have a plan. And we’ll do what we think is best for the club, not just for today, but also for the future. So we’ll see what happens.”
Cardinale was also close to you this week with his presence at Milanello.
“It’s not just about me. We’re really, really happy with the support we have from our owner, but it’s not just about me.
“The people at Milanello, everyone in our house, when they see the owner always there, talking to everyone, it’s something special. The people… and we, as I said, are a family. I think this year has changed a lot and you can see it.
“We had a great conversation and we’re planning for the future, the present, the present of the club. But, again, it’s not just about me: it’s about everyone in our house, in Milan.”
This is your first time in Poland. What are your impressions of Poland and the stadium?
“The atmosphere here is really nice. The people are really kind. I really like the stadium. It’s a really nice atmosphere, wonderful people. So I’m really happy about that, but now we’re going back to our home and we love, we love our home. Thank you.”
Ink ow it’s easy to say this after a win, but that’s a very good interview.
Backed his players, can’t be more unequivocal about owning the Rabbit and Maignan situation, supportive of the players left out.
I guess there is a definitive list of four now, which does NOT include Estupinan or Terracciano (although I’m sure they’ll move if there’s an offer, we’re not actively going to just take anything for them).
Would have been interesting to have a question about Cissé’s place, but alas, we needed platitudes about Poland instead.
“I think Alpha, with the way he’s played, will make things difficult.” — Amorim
Will Leao recover for Torino?
“I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t think it’s a big deal, but I don’t know if he’ll be ready.”
And what about his future?
“I don’t know. But he’s our player. As I said, we’re really happy with him. He’s a really expensive player. So we’ll see, but he has to fight. I think Alpha, with the way he’s played, will make things difficult.
Aye, sorry, I meant asking if he’ll stay with the team or possibly move on loan, but I guess that comes down to other moves we make between now and the end of the month
So he’s going to start Maignan on Sunday because, “it’s a different position.” We may end up losing Torriani due to mismanagement. Not saying he’s that great but he’s not so bad to not deserve a chance considering that most of the goals scored against him were caused by our defenders.
Agree with losing. Torriani is great. Donnarumma would never become a first choice if Mihailojvic took a risk. It would be unfair if Torriani didn’t play a single match. Extremely important to keep hold of him as Maignan tries to leave every season.
You mean, if Mihajlovic hadn’t taken a risk?
Torriani is a lock for the primary backup at this point so He’s probably going to get a run out in the coppa and/or the Europa league or at least the entirety of the former and the early stages of the latter. Also, at 21, he’s a full decade younger than Maignan who didn’t cover himself in glory last season tbh, and coupled with his recurring injuries, might not be available for every league game.
Then there’s all that past drama surrounding his renewal and his recent lukewarm attitude despite being Captain in the offseason to consider. He doesn’t inspire much confidence as a Milan player let alone skipper. I would even hazard a guess that if a decent offer came in, he would probably be sold at this point, notwithstanding what Amorim just said.
All said, Torriani has shown that he is a very legitimate alternative and should fit right in if called upon. He would be better placed honing his craft and being mentally conditioned to handle the pressures associated with being Milan’s No.1 in the interim, knowing that his time is coming soon.
last season was arguably maginans 2nd best performing season in his career lol. he saved us numerous times and made up for the season priors mistakes
Didn’t cover himself in glory? Are you being serious right now? It was all he did, the guy SAVED US on so many occasions, numerous times.
Ok clown. It is hard to understand why did you waste so much time on this. You just needed a red nose and you’re good.
Wow, the British press won’t like this result even if its a friendly. They are predicting Amorim won’t last 6mths @ Milan.
Any conspiracy theories with Rafa’s injury? Harder to sell a player with a knock. If I were him I wouldn’t be so hell bent on staying. Anything Cardinale or Amorim have said about Leao has basically been negative. I have no clue what position he would play either.
On Rabiot, Mike: “Everyone complains about the number of games and the players being unable to cope with the strain”
Exactly what I said. Let them rest. They’ve played alot and tbh they’re coming back before Modric relatively speaking. No controversy there
“. I think Alpha, with the way he’s played, will make things difficult.” Damn, those are some strong words there. I liked that he backed Cisse and still gave Leao some impetus.
The more options the coach has the better. A decent coach should get this team into the CL.
Leao has all the tools and something to prove. We shouldn’t give him away for peanuts.
He does not have all the tools. He is mentally weak and too worried about how he looks, so he always limits his efforts so that it doesnt appear that he is straining, because straining looks ‘weak’ in his mind. His salary is completely unnecessary. Sell him for a discount and be done with it.
Agree
Maignan (Torriani, Terracciano)
Gila (De Winter)
No. 1 (Gabbia)
Pavlovic (Diawara)
No. 2 (Saelemaekers)
Modric (Comotto, Ricci)
Rabiot (Ardon, Musah)
No. 3 (Bartesaghi)
Chukwueze (No. 4)
Pulisic (RLC, Cisse)
Ramos (No. 5, Camarda)
Tomori, Odogu (?), *Athekame, Terracciano, Bondo,
Fofana, Nkunku, Leao, **Gimenez and *Kostic (12);
* 10 instead of 12 but it’s actually 11, I have left out Estupinan there
Terracciano, Odogu ?, Tomori, *Athekame,
Fofana, Bondo, Estupinan, Nkunku, Leao,
**Gimenez, *Kostic (11) AK or SG = GK 🙂
Can you sell Leao even for 30mill?????
He is not good for dresing room also and he will worst and worst in game
Amorim seems locked on using Chukwueze as right wingback and it will hardly change with yeasterdays game.
If we sign someone like Dodo I think he moves Saelemaekers to the left with Bartesaghi as backup. If we sign Zalewski he starts to the left and Saelemaekers will be backup to Chuk on the right, or come on in the offensive midfield position.