Milan's first outing of the new season, a 2-2 comeback draw away to a Celtic side that are much further ahead in their preparations and already have a full squad available, should be taken with a pinch of salt, as is often the case with the opening pre-season friendlies. At the same time, with Ruben Amorim now in charge, there was great curiosity to see the Portuguese coach's first ideas on the pitch, and several clear tactical patterns were already visible.
For Amorim's style to truly take hold, however, it will not be enough to simply welcome back the players still on holiday. Milan must also continue their work in the transfer market to sign players suited to his system.
If Milan's first performance under Ruben Amorim had to be summed up in two tactical concepts, they would be possession-based football and aggressive high pressing. From the opening whistle, the Rossoneri tried to dictate play and immediately pressed high whenever they lost possession. That approach faded somewhat after Celtic took the lead in the 11th minute and was rarely seen again during the first half, which ended with Milan trailing by two goals.
The second half told a different story. With eight changes to the starting eleven bringing greater freshness, Milan resumed their intense pressing and controlled possession once again. It was no coincidence that Camarda scored twice within seven minutes, while the Rossoneri also created two or three other clear-cut chances before the hour mark. The tempo inevitably dropped later on as heavy legs began to show, but the tactical ideas remained evident throughout.
Milan still need more signings:
With such clear tactical principles and a system he is deeply committed to, Ruben Amorim needs players who perfectly fit his style of football. In that respect, Milan's first two major signings, striker Gonçalo Ramos and defender Mario Gila, already match those requirements. The Portuguese forward is a true penalty-box striker who attacks space, stretches defences and creates room for his teammates, while the Spanish centre-back is comfortable in possession and brings an aggressive defensive approach, as relayed via Milan News.
Milan still need to sign one or two attacking midfielders, in addition to Christian Pulisic and Christopher Nkunku, who can operate between the lines, take on defenders and provide the decisive final pass. The club will also need to assess whether another centre-back is required, while reinforcements out wide are almost certain, as the wing-back positions are among the most important roles in Amorim's tactical system.
