It was a tough defeat for AC Milan in their third pre-season friendly, losing 3-0 to Chelsea, and now Ruben Amorim faces a complicated situation ahead of the 2026-27 opener.
Today’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport (see featured image) has analysed the performance, stating that Milan certainly could have ended their tour in Australia and Indonesia in a better way. Indeed, it was exactly what Amorim didn’t want.
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If it hadn’t been for Lorenzo Torriani’s saves and a couple of efforts that hit the post, we would have been talking about even bigger numbers. The fact that the Rossoneri are yet to win this pre-season is also disappointing, while conceding an average of two goals per game.
Wasted time, or necessary tests?
As the pink newspaper continues, there is something to fix everywhere, and now the time has come to make some tough decisions. Amorim tested all of his players in Australia and Indonesia (apart from Odogu and Athekame), as he needed to understand what each could give to his team.
Having seen most of them, therefore, it’s time to trim the squad and let go of those players who haven’t lived up to expectations. Otherwise, the Rossoneri risk paying for all these tests in their league debut against Torino.
Granted that some internationals arrived late, while some key players are missing due to injury, Amorim hasn’t fielded anywhere near what could be Milan’s starting eleven in the season opener. Yesterday, for example, he used two “balanced” teams because he wanted to put everyone in a position to bring out the best in them.
This allowed him to evaluate the manpower at his disposal, but on the flip side, the process of implementing his tactical directives has slowed down. This is far from ideal, especially since the Chelsea game truly highlighted the Rossoneri’s flaws.
Many question marks
The players tried to remain faithful to the principles of Amorim’s football and increased the pressure, even accepting 1v1 situations with the defenders, but they ended up leaving too many openings for the opponents.
Their own play also suffered as a result. Despite the direction of captain Luka Modric, the Rossoneri were clearly behind in possession, and when they did build out from the back, it certainly wasn’t creative or unpredictable.
Those expecting Rafael Leao to show off were disappointed, even though the No.10 showed some desire. The result was a game without any shots on target, and even Goncalo Ramos couldn’t turn things around on that front in the second half.
Losing to a Premier League big club isn’t a tragedy, but it’s sobering how it all came about: without ever giving the impression of being able to compete. Another Milan is needed for the season opener, perhaps aided by a few sales and a couple of targeted signings.
Gila is oviously an injury prone player and I am afraid that Ramos is a big question mark if he doesn’t get proper service. We will not get anywhere without at least one high-quality wing-back, without a CB that is well-skilled technique wise, without an aggressive midfielder that would create a mighty couple of “pit bull terriers” with Rabiot and without a left-footed magician which would enable and provide us with that possession that we need so much and that will provide that service (assists) for Ramos and the other strikers and attackers keeping in mind that even that final department of ours is in a need of an upgrade because we need one more prolific (but at the same time slightly more experienced than the rest of the crew) number 9.
1) Tomori + 20-25 = Inacio
2) Estupinan + 25-30= ???
3) Ricci + Musah + (Bondo) + Loftus-Cheek = 40-50+ for a new MC
4) Leao = 50+ (a new 10 with a liitle to spare, finance the 1) and 2))
5) Gimenez (I wouldn’t dare to set his asking price, we should just
replace him)
The coach is our problem he is not experienced and should be shown the door quickly otherwise we will cry as usual at the end .
Nismo valjda mislili dobit Inter i Chelsy bez …Magniana, Gille, Rabioa i Pulišiča sa treningom od 15 dana !!! Još smo dobro i prošli s kakvim igračima igramo !!!
The result is irrelevant. But they looked better last pre-season with Allegri. Not promising.
Amorim didn’t “waste the opportunity” in the sense of being incapable; rather, he exploited the friendlies in a sharply Machiavellian manner: fielding unfit or transferable players against a well prepared opponent, to embarrass the management and force them to finalize the transfer deal. The danger lies in the excessive experimentation, which led to a loss of confidence and a morale crisis just days before the first official test. (And I support the coach against the management). Milan is currently experiencing a state of “structural paralysis,” as Amorim tactical ideas cannot be implemented with mediocre players. Unless the tactical shift is accompanied by decisive management action to overhaul the squad and change the mentality of the stars (especially Leão), the team will enter the new season with an ambitious vision on paper, but a fragile and disjointed reality on the pitch.