AC Milan's head coach, Ruben Amorim, spoke to the media in a press conference after his team's 3-1 victory against Inter at the San Siro.
Amorim, Cardinale says that something can be built on this victory...
"Having incredible evenings like the one today, and when I say incredible evenings, I am referring both to the result and the atmosphere, just as we will have difficult evenings like the one against Bologna. Things do not change overnight; there is no button you can simply press to turn things around from one moment to the next. It was simply an excellent evening, three points gained, just as we lost three against Bologna. For this reason, we must be extremely honest with everyone, and I believe that when you win these kinds of matches, it is necessary to analyse the situation with the utmost clarity: there will be evenings like this, we will experience great moments, but there will also be matches in which we will not play well and will not manage to win. It is a process that does not change overnight."
The team is with you... Amorim said:
"What I know is that I am truly proud of my players. I said it even after the last match, when we lost. We are taking things one match at a time. We have had some players unavailable and I know they are doing everything they can. They are giving everything, and that is the only thing I ask of them. Therefore, they will always have me by their side; they will have my protection as long as they continue to give everything. Sometimes we will win, sometimes we will lose, sometimes we will play badly, but they are working hard. Are they with the coach or not? I don't know, I can sense it. What I know for certain is that I am one hundred per cent with my players, because they are giving everything on the pitch."
Cardinale left San Siro in tears... Is that a feeling you also experience after days of criticism?
"The criticism is there and it is normal; it is part of the pressure that comes with this club, and I understand that. I am truly happy for Cardinale, because I know the whole story: I know it has not been easy, it is not easy and it will not be easy, but I can guarantee you that everyone within the club and at Milanello strongly wants this objective, and we will do everything to bring the club back to where it deserves to be. I think it was a special evening for everyone. At the end of the match, I was still a little angry about Wednesday, I don't know why, but that was the first thing I felt. I did not expect an atmosphere like that: it is the best derby I have ever played, the atmosphere is truly unique and I am really happy to have won it, but they are still the same three points that we lost against Bologna. We could have been closer in the standings or something like that."
Is tonight's team the starting eleven?
"It depends on the match. I don't know if it is the best eleven. There are different moments in a match. You saw the match, and with Gila, Rabiot and Moreira, things were different. It is not an excuse, but if we want to win, we have to use everyone. However, it is clear that today we were a different team."
Are you happy? Amorim replied:
"I am truly happy. And when I am truly happy, I am also very calm. Then, well, I am a young man, but I already have a lot of experience. Two days ago, around here, it felt like being in a cemetery, at a funeral: everyone thought it would end badly. Today, on the other hand, people are already talking about the Scudetto, as if everything had changed. As far as I am concerned, having experience, I know that we must maintain a consistent level, but I guarantee you that I am truly happy. Now I am going home, I will rest and then I will think about the next match, because I know very well that football is like this. So, I am the leader of this team and it is my job to keep the level high."
