Dominant and aggressive, no longer content to sit back and wait for things to happen. And, for the more demanding supporters, spectacular and entertaining too: Amorim had called for a clean break with the past. The result? The new Milan is still a work in progress, as might be expected given that the rebuilding process only began last summer, when the previous structure was ordered to be torn down. Yet what is emerging is a team still tied to certain old habits.
The Rossoneri had hoped to strike fear into their opponents, but the Devil remains a rather harmless little devil, with its horns blunted. The centre-forward who was supposed to embody the new team's ruthless streak instead looks like a number nine who is lost and nowhere near fierce enough.
Against Sassuolo, Ramos at least deserves credit for trying, managing a couple of shots on target. Aside from Rabiot's goal, the only bright moment in an otherwise disappointing performance from the Frenchman, Milan managed just three more shots on target and two off target. Given the ambitions outlined at the start of the season, such figures should be routine. Instead, the Rossoneri find themselves in the bottom half of the league rankings both for total shots attempted and efforts from outside the penalty area. Dominance and entertaining football remain distant goals.
Struggles in Build-Up Play
The new project remains more theory than reality. Results (Milan are still unbeaten in the league) and their position in the table are acceptable, but a significant improvement is nevertheless required. After all, that is precisely what the man in charge is demanding.
And across the board: the quality of play, chance creation, attitude, intensity and pressing.
The international break may not have helped, with no fewer than fifteen Milan players (more than any other Serie A club) away on international duty. Meanwhile, those who stayed behind at Milanello, such as Gabbia and Saelemaekers, coincidentally ended up sidelined through injury.
In any case, the break from competitive action has done little to accelerate the team's progress. The rebuilding project remains unfinished.
There was plenty to displease the Rossoneri president, who left the Mapei Stadium with his head bowed and is expected to attend Milan's next home league match against Atalanta. His concerns range from defensive vulnerabilities (including, of course, the glaring lapse in concentration that led to the opposition's goal) to the team's inability to involve and make the most of its centre-forward.
More than anyone, Cardinale wants to see a return on the club's summer investment, the largest spending spree in Milan's history.
Instead, through little fault of his own, Gonçalo is struggling far more than anticipated. He repeatedly finds himself chasing the ball into areas ill-suited to the team's only recognised out-and-out striker. As a result, he appears disconnected from the rest of the side.
More worrying than the defence is the attack. Amorim himself had praised his players' courage and timing in holding a high defensive line against two exceptionally quick attackers in Laurienté and Berardi.
The attacking phase was supposed to be the hallmark of the new Milan. Instead, it has become Amorim's most pressing concern.
There is, however, no shortage of potential solutions. Moreira and Pulisic deserve credit for their efforts, including individual initiatives, and both demonstrated that they are in good form. Cardinale considered them Milan's best performers on the pitch. Now they must channel their creativity towards supporting the centre-forward.
Gerry, who had also been at Milanello on the eve of the trip to Emilia wearing a red cap bearing the Trump-inspired slogan "Make Milan Great Again", had expected more.
For long stretches against Sassuolo, every player seemed to be following his own script, with little connection between the different units and no sense of collective cohesion, writes La Gazzetta dello Sport in this morning's print edition.
Rabiot cannot escape criticism either, despite having scored the opening goal. Aside from his strike, he gave the ball away too often and was frequently a step behind the play.
Cardinale found some positives in Milan's performance before half-time, but overall he wants the team to show greater attacking sharpness. That applies to set pieces as well, particularly corners, given the difficulties the side is experiencing in constructing attacks through open play. So far, Milan have posed virtually no threat from corner kicks.
By mid-October, then, there is still a great deal to do, or redo. And it would hardly be the first time the coach has been forced to rethink his strategy, personnel and even tactical formation.
Refereeing Decisions
The referee certainly did not have to do Milan any favours, but he could at least have ensured that they received fair treatment.
Among those who failed to meet Cardinale's expectations was referee Fourneau, whom the Rossoneri owner believes made two significant mistakes.
First, in Cardinale's view, Milan should have been awarded a penalty for a foul on De Winter.
Second, Laurienté escaped without even a yellow card for his challenge on Gila near the edge of Milan's penalty area, an incident Cardinale believes could even have warranted a red card.
A Relentless Run of Fixtures for Milan:
Solutions are needed, and quickly.
As early as tomorrow, Milan will travel to Salzburg, where they will play their second Europa League match of the season on Thursday.
Then comes a demanding succession of fixtures: Atalanta, Bournemouth, Udinese, Bologna, the derby, Ferencváros and Genoa, all before the next international break in November.
The number of matches is increasing, while the number of available players is shrinking, another complication for a team already struggling to find its rhythm.
But this demanding schedule also presents a series of opportunities to turn things around, build momentum and finally hit their stride.
Ultimately, it is entirely up to Milan, the players and their coach.
