Ruben Amorim was interviewed by Peppe Di Stefano for Sky Sport on the eve of Milan-Benfica. Here are all of his statements:
Tomorrow is your first European game and you are back playing at home:
“First of all, we started the season by playing just one game at home. We want to play here again and experience that special atmosphere. We know what it means for our fans to play in Europe. In the future, we want to play in the Champions League, but now we want to focus on this competition, which is a very good one. It will be tough, but we have to be ready and try to win every game. It is a great feeling to play at San Siro, but you saw that our fans were also special against Lazio.”
You are facing Benfica again:
“It is obviously a little special, but honestly, I just want to win. I feel the same pressure playing against Benfica as I do against any other team. It is difficult and special, but it is another game we have to win.”
You met Ibrahimovic yesterday, Amorim said:
“I have spoken to Zlatan several times. He is someone who knows Italian football and the club. He is helping Cardinale with many things. It was a pleasant conversation. It is always nice to see Milan legends. It was a quick but enjoyable visit.”
Have the criticisms of Milan at the start of the season been a little exaggerated?
"I think it is normal to receive criticism. I am not worried about it. I want to protect my players. The good thing about going through difficult moments at other clubs is that it gives you experience. This is the price you pay for being the coach of a big club. I understand everything. There is a lot of information out there, you have to say something... It is normal for me. I will do things my way. I think that is clear to everyone.”
Do you already know how you will play tomorrow?
“I have a clear idea of how we will play tomorrow. There will be some changes. For me, it is impossible to keep the players fresh with such intensity in every game, so we have to rotate. I will choose the best possible team to win this game and the next one. At our club, we cannot afford to lose, even if sometimes you use that to criticise me: it is better to say that we have to win.”
How did Modric react to being substituted?
“It is normal. He is a great guy and he understands perfectly. Sometimes it will be him, sometimes it will be someone else. In that respect, we are all the same. Obviously, he is an incredible player with a great history. He did not take it personally because he is intelligent.”
