The new-look AC Milan are showing a completely different side to the one that first appeared before 70,000 fans at San Siro against Benfica. In Salzburg’s compact stadium, watched by 1,500 travelling Rossoneri supporters, Milan won, created chances, found the net and kept their opponents at bay. The victory boosts their position in the Europa League standings and gives the team fresh momentum in their domestic league campaign.
Cissé is leading the charge, but others are making their voices heard too: Ramos is back among the goals, Tomori is reclaiming his place, Hutchinson is taking on defenders and bursting forward with pace, and Camarda has made his first start. It was a plan Amorim had been considering for days.
“Too many changes? I’m the only one taking the risk.”
And he was proved right.
“In other matches, we’ve had more control, but this time we managed to score. I think we’ve actually produced better overall performances in other games, playing more cohesively as a team, but ultimately people only look at the result. Of course I’m happy with the win, but there were situations where, had our opponents been more clinical, they would have scored. We gave the ball away a few times just outside our own penalty area, and we also had some problems playing out from the back. There’s still work to be done.”
Competition for Places at Milan:
Squad rotation allowed Amorim to manage his players’ workload ahead of their league commitments and their next European away fixture. His decision to overhaul the starting line-up had backfired against Benfica, but not this time. This time, it gave several fresh faces the chance to step into the spotlight, as pointed out via La Gazzetta dello Sport in this morning's print edition.
Amorim continued:
“I believe in every one of my players. With the upcoming fixtures in mind, I couldn’t keep fielding the same starting eleven. Obviously, there are risks involved. If we had lost tonight, I know exactly what people would have said. I’m trying to do what’s best for the team and make the right decisions, and this time it worked out.
“It’s important that everyone in the squad understands that they have a chance to play, while also being aware that they could lose their place. That’s why I need 22 players who can compete for a starting spot.
“That applies to the younger players, such as Hutchinson, who can also operate as a number ten, but not just them. Loftus-Cheek is another example. I know this match will do a lot of players good.
“Camarda? He reads the game well and knows how to move inside the penalty area. He still needs to improve his explosiveness, pace and tempo.”
Challenges Ahead for Amorim's Milan:
After an unexpected overnight stay in Austria caused by the closure of Salzburg Airport, Milan’s senior players are set to return to the starting line-up against Atalanta.
“I’d seen how the lads were working in training, and we needed to rotate the squad. Now we’re preparing for the next match.”
The aim is to get their Serie A campaign back on track.
Amorim is a manager who relishes a challenge.
“I know the atmosphere around the club isn’t easy. In my last two jobs, I’ve chosen two of the most difficult clubs I could possibly have taken on: Manchester United and Milan.
“We’re still at the beginning of the season. I want to keep working to help my players and win football matches.”
That determination will be tested again almost immediately, starting on Sunday afternoon.
Milan’s European campaign, meanwhile, resumes in a week’s time, when they face Bournemouth.
