La Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Luca Bianchin has revealed some of his observations from Ruben Amorim’s first few days at Milanello.
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Following Monday’s raduno at the training complex, Amorim has got to work trying to implement his tactical framework and the philosophy that he wants with his 3-4-2-1 formation. There have already been positive signs, such as his energy and enthusiasm, plus the desire to get involved.
Of course the pitch will do the talking and there are reservations about whether the Rossoneri’s third Portuguese manager in two years can finally crack the code, especially when the mission has already been set to win a Scudetto and get the second star.
Amorim searching for the fire within
Bianchin had this to say in La Gazzetta dello Sport about Amorim and his methods in the early days at Milan, with his words relayed by MilanNews.
“Amorim wants to be at the heart of Milan, and it’s almost a physical need. During the first training session of the season, on Monday afternoon, he was in the middle of the pitch, his old position as a player, and instinctively looked for the ball, stole it from Gila, almost jumping on the goalkeeper’s clearances.
“In a video, you can see him participating in a rondo with outsized enthusiasm. It’s partly a joke, partly a desire to participate. Seeing him up close, you get the impression of a man searching for the joy of coaching, for that fire within himself that Manchester United – far from being devils – now extinguishes in so many.
“And then, it’s impossible not to notice how, in some situations, Amorim is the opposite of Allegri. On the pitch, we saw a clear direction, even though it would be absurd to draw conclusions after two or three training sessions. Amorim has the team play a 3-4-2-1 formation, works on ball circulation, constantly uses the ball, and asks for a restart from defence if a drill isn’t working.
“In the first tactical drill, he alternated two teams, coming in and out to give the players a rest and create a rhythm in the training, and he will soon structure the pressing mechanisms, another key cornerstone of his project. If it’s a winning Milan, we’ll know. That it’s a different Milan is clear.”