Ruben Amorim has only been working at Milanello for a few days, but his imprint is already starting to be seen.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) write this morning that Amorim’s Milan is starting to take shape: from the principles of his style of play to the training sessions themselves, there are many things that he has changed compared to his predecessor Massimiliano Allegri.
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A new style
Milan have chosen to start fresh with a foreign coach, one whose trademark style is attacking football and who, perhaps, is eager for redemption following a disappointing stint at another top European club. He does have a few issues to resolve, and he is straight to work.
Amorim wants to relaunch himself after a tough time in Manchester. He chose Milan and Milan chose him among many options. To start the 3-4-2-1 transition, the management backed Amorim with the signings of Goncalo Ramos and Mario Gila.
The former PSG centre-forward was first on the coach’s personal preference list, and he was involved in almost all transfer meetings. Cardinale wants to know his opinion to put him in the best conditions and to transform the theory of the attacking game into practice and, above all, results.
The objectives are also new: a spot in the Champions League is obviously the priority, but Amorim has publicly confessed that he wants to be the coach that wins the second star Scudetto.
Living at Milanello
The search for a house that meets Amorim’s needs in the city continues. His real estate appointments are concentrated in the most central areas of the city, a way to fully experience Milan and the mood of the environment.
The best way to get in touch with the new reality is to know and be able to express yourself in the new language. Amorim has a squad largely made up of foreigners and he himself expresses himself in perfect English.
English is also needed to speak with Gerry Cardinale, the American owner, and with the foreign management. It’s not enough for him though: Ruben is already taking Italian lessons and has set himself the goal of learning it in record time.
On the day of the presentation he addressed a few words to the new audience in our language. In the meantime, between the commitments of the first Rossoneri days and the upcoming intercontinental business trips, the coach will live in Milanello.
Being based at the training ground also helps him for logistical and convenience reasons: here every morning, by 08:30, the team must show up for breakfast together. Afterwards they go out onto the field for the day’s training.
Togetherness
“For anything you might need, I’m here. Always available.” With these words Amorim introduced himself to the group gathered in Milanello. A message of total openness to the team: as a former player, he knows the internal dynamics.
It is not a given that he would also receive the same availability in return, but it is what the coach was most impressed and proud of. He found a perfect attitude from the team: the players collect his ideas, are curious and participate in new proposals.
The first impressions are positive and the response from the field is the one the coach was waiting for with the most apprehension. The enthusiasm he found in the group was more than comforting.
He was impressed by the presence of the club, and by the organisation he found around the team. In addition to the proximity of the owners, who wanted to please him with the first market moves, it is in everyday life and in small actions that the coach finds protection and support.
Intensity and conditioning
Full-pitch pressing, immediate ball recovery, and a quest to dominate the game: Amorim has outlined the cornerstones of his footballing philosophy. He began translating these ideas onto the pitch just five days ago, without feeling the need to rush things.
Those who view pre-season training as synonymous with grueling toil and overtaxed muscles will find no such approach here. The principles remain, but the coach has his own way of cultivating them: a single daily session – held in the morning – that is not necessarily long or physically exhausting.
He alternates shorter workouts with more intense sessions, all while focusing on his vision for the future. The ball is always involved, and Amorim (a former midfielder) often finds himself right in the thick of the action, actively participating in drills and even the opening rondo.
He is not a coach who merely issues instructions. He moves with the squad and plays a far more central role than the rest of the staff. In just eight days, he faces his first official outing: an international debut against Celtic, kicking off at 16:00 CEST.
While match fitness is still a work in progress and many key players of this new era will be missing, Milan fans will still get a glimpse of what lies ahead.
Fonseca spoke to Sport Week: “When I arrived, there was nobody there. Gerry Cardinale wasn’t there. I saw Rúben Amorim arrive with him.
This is exactly the thing some of us talking about. Surely Amorim receives entirely different treatment compared to his predecessors. Hopefully he can use that ‘privilege’.
His blunt statement to the players: “I’m here for you and I’ll defend you in any discussion, provided you’re right.” This illustrates a mindset of intelligent discipline، unwavering support linked to commitment, not blind emotional support. Milan is undergoing a much-needed “mental and tactical cleansing.” The introduction of short, intense drills and the coach’s personal presence breaks the monotony and creates a new culture of commitment, making the players feel directly accountable to the head of the technical staff.
Well, say what you will about him. But this at least management is providing the support and tools the coach needs. Fonseca didnt get any, and Allegri got some but he asked for a CF from day one and got none. (Not saying a CF would’ve made us world champs under Allegri) but he didnt get all the support Amorim is getting. In that sense, this season is exciting. Also worth mentioning, we were finally quick on the transfer market. Previous years we dragged negotiations for so long and that was very detrimental to the player, coach, club etc. (i.e CDK, Jashari, etc). For the first time in a while, the basics are being set up correctly. Let’s see if Amorim can pull through.
Allegri didn’t get any support whatsoever, Rabiot was just a lucky coincidence. Allegri also asked for a CB, we all know how that went and how that turned out, it ended very bad for all of us but who paid the price for the debacle (and who didn’t) eventually, that’s a whole other matter and an entirely different story.
I wouldn’t mind see another CF arrive. If they intend to make a real push for Europa League as well depth will be taxed. But top 4 has to be the priority and where Ramos is always the guy.
Santi not an answer, Camarda likely to Samp. Go get Mateta or similar.
Icardi.
Non of this hype around Amorim matters until we start seeing if the team is properly assembled for his needs and whether or not his ideas stick.
Folks seem to be forgetting Amorim’s ineptitude at Utd. What a complete shambles. I consider him a high-risk choice. He had a very good team at Utd. and had no clue what to do with them. Tactically inept, player choices were wrong all the time, and poor game management. Carrick had to fix that mess.