Milan showed two very different sides in Rome, as the Rossoneri produced a strong second-half comeback to turn the game against Lazio around after a very poor first half. They fought back to earn a 2-2 draw which, given how the match had unfolded, feels like a point gained. After the final whistle, the Rossoneri tactician Ruben Amorim spoke to DAZN to analyse the match.
What did you say to the team in the dressing room?
"I heard Gila speak after the game, and I’m really happy with the understanding of the game he showed. In the first half, we simply weren’t there. The energy wasn’t right. We lost so many balls without any pressure, simple passes. Then they were running in behind our defenders, and with Lazzari it was easy for them. But in the second half, it was the opposite. We brought energy, we were really good with the ball, we controlled the game. We were quick when we needed to be quick, we controlled the tempo and slowed the game down when we needed to. It was a completely different team, a completely different game. We managed to take a point home, but if you look at the game, we have to do better, because we can’t play by only showing up for one half."
Amorim, with this style of play, can Milan get the best out of Modric?
"We have to be really good with the ball to make Luka feel comfortable in the game. If we turn the match into constant end-to-end action and frantic running, that’s not the type of game for Luka. That’s why we changed our approach in the second half by bringing on Musah: we understood that we needed a bit more pace in midfield. On top of that, I think Luka was dropping too deep, close to the centre-backs, which meant we had four players just to start the build-up and fewer men between the lines. We can play with Luka, and we have shown that in the last few games, but to do that we have to turn the match into one of possession and control. If we turn it into a game of running, it becomes impossible for him."
Can Moreira produce his best football on the left?
"It depends. Today, the space was out wide and, because he is left-footed, he opens up the pitch a little. He is quick and can make a difference with his crosses. On the right, Moreira tends to cut inside more before crossing. It’s a different type of cross and sometimes it’s better, especially here in Italy where you find well-organised defensive lines. So, with his left foot, sometimes it is preferable to have Moreira there. But to be honest, I wasn’t thinking about his crossing foot. I was thinking about his pace and the idea of having another wide player on the pitch in the areas where they had three defenders. That was the main idea."
What do Ramos and the team still need to develop a better understanding with each other? Amorim replied:
"I think we need to spend more time closer to the penalty area. We spend a lot of time with the ball, but far from the area. We need to push the team further forward and we need to create even more connections inside the box. Instead, we almost only get there through crosses. And sometimes, if you rely only on crosses, you can put as many as you want into the box, but it becomes difficult for the striker. So we need to have different ways of getting into the penalty area. Sometimes with runs towards the corner from Pulisic or Cisse getting forward, then Ramos can have more opportunities to touch the ball. But Ramos is also going to improve as the season goes on."
