Ardon Jashari still has full faith in where AC Milan are heading under Ruben Amorim, but admitted the team were ‘missing something’ against Benfica.
Milan got their 2026-27 Europa League campaign underway in disastrous fashion as they lost 2-0 to one of the other pre-tournament favourites at San Siro. Benfica were efficient and controlled in their performance, scoring a goal in each half to emerge with three precious points.
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It is certainly a rude awakening for the Rossoneri, who had chances to get themselves level or back into the game but didn’t take them. It already feels like a bit of an uphill battle to keep alive hopes of a finish in the top eight, after setting the wrong tone tonight.
After Alexis Saelemaekers spoke and the head coach Ruben Amorim gave his thoughts, Jashari was next up to speak to Sky (via MilanNews) and dissect the game.
How do you feel after a game like that?
“I think we were missing something, both with and without the ball. Something was missing, and when you’re not 100%, you don’t score, you concede. We didn’t create opportunities with the way we train. We need to do better, and I think we can do better in the next matches.”
Do you believe in this new project?
“We have to believe in this project. This isn’t enough. We have to be aggressive. If we’re smart, if we have the spirit right from the start… If we screw up and give things away to the opponent, it’s not due to the project. We have to do better.”
Do you feel that sense of responsibility?
“We’re players at a big club, and we all have to take responsibility for how we play, both collectively and individually. Win or lose, we have to accept it. I’ve said it in my last interviews: it’s important that we believe in this project.
“We saw positive things today, too, but we have a lot to improve on. It’s impossible to concede these goals, and we can’t be so predictable… then it becomes easy for our opponents.”
It seems that the team don’t seek out space or run in behind…
“Everyone who knows me knows I like to play the ball behind defenders. In some games, that’s not possible, which is why I say we need to create better. It’s not just me, it’s everyone, not just midfielders.
“You need to have lots of options to create, and right now, that’s not our strongest asset. For me, being able to play the ball deep is important. We’ve lacked the ability to play behind the opposition’s lines.
For Club Brugge and Switzerland, you’re determined and aggressive. Tonight, however, especially with the first goal, you almost brake and pull away. What happened?
“Now I see the footage… It’s my responsibility to be closer to Lukebakio, but we also need to improve as a team. It was a play that started from a loose ball we had up front. I ran back… Lukebakio shouldn’t have cut in so easily. I needed to be closer to my team-mate and finish better.”
Why did Cardinale choose that idiot of a coach? Just look at what happened at MU
Masa, you talk too much 🗣🗣 why.
I want Milan to be well-managed and win trophies every season—certainly not finishing behind Inter or Juve
The claim is the sporting director for a day convinced Cardinale to hire Amorim.
said the guy who was afraid to tackle the ball in the first goal what a shame
It was a mistake not selling him during the transfer window.
I’ve seen so many people wearing pink glasses, but the truth is that he will never, ever make it in Milan.
Its not like we had so many options for our coach, and the ones we had went elsewhere. He probably was also the few who played a back 3 and seemed suitable for our players. Lets see the response. This is a very aggresive tactic and it might need more time to developr, but if it succeds we could succed. A few players did step up, like Musah, Chuck, Jashari compared to last season so who knows.
Jashari stepped up? When, did you fall asleep and dream that?
He’s right, Jashari started off weak but grew into the game
You can believe and give interviews. But you can’t play football on this level. Instead of Jashari/Ricci they could have bought anyone for 65-70M€.
Oh really? You think you know anything about football?
Sit down.
Jashari got better as the game went on.
Id*ot, was I asking an id*ot for an opinion?
Yes, really.
Jashari was trash. He is a trash player. Created more chances for Benfica than Milan.
He’s probably the worst CM I’ve seen wearing Milan colors. On the level of Bakaye Traore, who was a free transfer at least.
This dud is shockingly bad every single time he’s on the pitch, especially considering that was Belgian transfer record.
Gives me Alessio Cerci vibes.
Jashari is right.
I saw many positive things, especially in 2nd half.
But Amorim has to stop with the awful selections.
Salemerde, Bartefodder, Stupido, Buttcheeks, Terramerda should never play again.
That said… the things Amorim said before the game don’t fill me with confidence.
Is it a coincidence that Conte came to San Siro as soon as Ibra came back?
Gerry wants to sack him I guess and had Ibra come back to do the dirty work.
If we got a Zidane or an Ancelotti or even a Jaissle or a Klopp fine, but Conte is unacceptable.
Gerry is a fool with no vision. He should sell the club.
I would rather be 10th place with Amorim at the end of the season than win ONE Scudetto with Conte. That guy gives me creeps (he also SUCKS HARD in Europe).
That’s the mentality and type of fans RedBird are looking for. You’re perfect for this new era AC Milan.
Amorim deserves criticism for his starting lineups and the bad first halves but what he is trying to do is admirable.
Instead of having the usual 11, week in week out, he is trying to get 20 players involved , playing regularly and raising the level of the whole squad , problem lies with the lack of quality players in the overall squad that everyone can see once on the pitch.
However , I don’t know what people thought , Benfica are much more advanced in all levels , especially technical , they are well drilled and are a champions league team ,whereas Amorim is just starting out .
When Amorim played defensively against Juve everyone criticized him and yesterday he was outplayed in his own game in a open game. Amorim needs time and at least three more high level players before we can judge him, even though he needs to cut out experimenting from the start of games with players like Terraciano, Estupinan & Loftus.
Having 20 players involved is not that good apparently (at least at this stage). We’ll never build chemistry and adapt to his ideas in that way
Not many readers understand Milan management and Milan team.
Yes this was bad result but was very good scientific try.
Some most important player get a rest and Benfica is one of top 5 teams in europa league.
Either way Amorim.is forced to rotate the players because season is going to be too long.
At the end Milan lost just because of beginners mistakes in defense.
Most important games for Milan this season are in Serie a – winning as much as possible games against teams from 10th to 20th position.
And thats how you create powerful team. With small steps and winning mentality.
10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19 and 20 x 2 – winning both games against those teams means 60+ points- more than enough for UCL league.
This should be prime goal.
Three games in a row where Milan were left trailing. Two ended in draw, latest with lost. Not really the way to create a powerful team is it?
And Benfica also changed their coach this summer with Mourinho leaving for Madrid. They don’t seem to struggle as much as Milan due to this.
Two games. Though the truth is that they’ve barely beaten weaker teams and have not won a single game vs a serious opposition.
The only problem here is the coach’s selection. Why is he repeatedly starting the weaker team. He knows his best players and the positions to play them, let’s avoid all these comeback series and trials. It won’t help the team. I won’t be surprised to see Estupinian starting in league this weekend. Even Como did well on their Champions League debut with a team that have no superstar.
What’s wrong with Milan???
Why can’t we do things right???
He should have done better in the first goal, but overall he was the best AC Milan player on the pitch. The only one to think and play vertically, to rake risks.
This is the mistake i see and why i think honestly that AMORIP will fail:
His philosophy of football isn’t attack.
His philosophy of football is to play the ball at the back, draw in opposition and then find space to play up front. WHICH IS 100 PERCENT PREDICTABLE.
I was surprised cardinalie brought in Amorip who is Aleggri 2.0
Milan will never be able to create because there are no creators in the team. The team plays with fear, no risk taking cause they’re not creators.
A serious team builds from the attack, keep formation simple 433 or 442.. have 7 to 8 technically blessed attack warhead. And simple and deadly football (defence to attack lightning transition). That’s how you win games 4:0, 5:0 or even 7:0. Spent 79million on an ‘Running Ramos’ an attacker that is fit for lille or eintract frankfurt. Instead of a Strong striker that cancels 2 to 3 defenders by himself.
But no this amorim man prefers to experiment nonsense, overload crap, football without identity, urgency or passion.
They shouldve employed Glasner or Jaisel. These are the men that get things done.
I’m done watching this crappy football till milan get 10 match winning streak. If not i better focus on other things. Crappy football.
If i was a coach, my training seasons and team roster will be 80 percent attack, 20 percent midfield, 10 percent defence. Cause the universal truth of fooball is this: no winning without goals. If you can outscore the opponent 7:6, that is the idea football.. that is the fun. Let the opponent score. But score way more. Inter did that last week 5:3 against Udinese. So many dumb people running football clubs these days. Its sick to watch.
Know you’re going to suffer if you have a coach that prefers dynamic football to winning. That’s what you have in Amorim: A coach obsessed with proving that his crappy idea of football overload and formation works instead of focusing on being the team that scores massive loads of goals. I’m not a pessimist but ‘m sorry to tell milan fans that they’re in for a season of suffering. Fasten your seatbelts for Allegri 4.0 on Steriods. Don’t forget to keep your pain relieve tabs close. 😂⚽️🥅🔴⚫ Forza Rossoneri. Forza Milan!!!
I better have Estupinian as milan coach than Amorim
Last season Milan beat every single top team…and you all still whined and complained.
Jashari should have been sold…Another mistake.