On the even of RB Salzburg - AC Milan Europa League match, Rossoneri head coach Ruben Amorim has spoken to the media in a press conference.
Here are his words:
There has been a lot of criticism in recent days. Do you feel that everyone is pointing the finger at this Milan side?
“That is normal at top clubs, and I understood that from the Juventus game onwards. I have a job to do, and I leave the noise around us to other people. When I look at the team, I can see that we are improving. We are controlling matches more, pressing more, keeping the ball more and creating more chances each time. At a top club, if you do not win, this kind of thing is normal.”
What kind of Salzburg side are you expecting tomorrow? Have you spoken to Pavlovic about his former club? Amorim said:
“I have not spoken much about that with Pavlo. I have spoken to him about his role tomorrow. He will start. They are a team with a lot of pace and quality. They have technically gifted players and are used to winning. It will be a difficult match, but I have discussed it with the players. Pavlo told me about the atmosphere. We will be playing in a great stadium, and we are ready.”
You said you would make a lot of changes for tomorrow. Rotation is necessary, but there is also a risk of changing too much. Where do you draw the line between the two?
"The fact is that they train together and play together. All the players who will take to the pitch tomorrow have already played some minutes or started certain matches. They have been important. We need to rotate a little, and we will make some changes. We have a few players who are doubts for tomorrow, so we will see how things stand in the morning. Ultimately, the risk I take will only affect me, because I am the only one who has to live with the results. However, I have a clear plan for what I want to do with this team and for this club. Nothing will change that: the risk is mine alone. The players need to stay calm and simply get into their rhythm. They must give everything on the pitch during the match; everything else is my responsibility. We will be ready for tomorrow's game.”
If Camarda were to play, what have you seen in him? Is he ready?
“No one knows anything about a player unless you give him the chance to play. That is the main point. Camarda is doing very well. He earned his place during pre-season, has done his job and will get his opportunity."
“You can see that we have built the squad in a way that leaves room for these young players. Cisse is already playing, Camarda has had a few minutes, while Comotto is not playing at the moment. But we have to give these lads playing time because sometimes they can surprise you. They are part of the squad and train alongside the other players every day, so they need to be ready when matchday comes."
“What I can see is that he is ready to take to the pitch. He is really confident and loves playing for Milan. That is also very important to me, and he is another option for tomorrow.”
Cardinale has also appeared to voice some criticism... Have you spoken to each other in recent days? Amorim replied:
“If I understand the question correctly, it is about my relationship with Gerry and the criticism... I haven't sensed anything. We simply had a conversation about the future and another about pre-season preparations, along with some members of the management, to choose the location for the next training camp as well.
“So it was a normal working day. I didn't sense anything; it was just another day at work.”
Salzburg is Mozart's city... What is Milan's magic flute? Is it the style of play or the star players? You can do your work, but ultimately, if the star player doesn't arrive... So, the magic flute: the style of play or the star players?
“What I know is that the style of play and the star players are interconnected. You can have great players, but if they don't play in the same way, you don't have a team.
“At the same time, if you want to do different things, play at the highest level and dominate possession, but you don't have good players, that is equally impossible. If you don't have pace, you cannot play one against one at the back; if you don't have height, you cannot score many goals from set-pieces.
“So I think everything is interconnected. The beautiful thing about football is that sometimes you can win without the best players, but you can also suffer a heavy defeat despite having the best squad.
“That is why it is difficult in football to isolate a single element or have a guaranteed formula for winning. You can win in different ways.
“The important thing for me is to enjoy ourselves, and you have to give everything for the team. That is the fundamental quality I look for in my players. Then they have to play good football...
“I like very good players. I like defenders who think like a number 10. I like defenders who dare to play with the ball and know how to defend one against one.
“So, to answer your question, I am not Mozart; I am a long way from that. I am an ordinary guy with clear principles. I like very good players, but above all, I love footballers who give everything for the team. That is the main thing.”
But Sacchi used to say that the orchestra was the most important thing...
“Sacchi is like Mozart (laughs, ed.). These are different times, and it is important to explain that to our fans. Different times, different moments, different people... It will take a little longer to get there. Today, though, you know better than I do that everything has to happen quickly; otherwise, it seems as though there is no time. But I have a clear plan. If we have time, we will use it. If not, we move on.”
