Ruben Amorim, AC Milan head coach, was interviewed by CBS Sports Golazo at the end of the Europa League match between Milan and Ferencvaros (0-2).
"Technically, tactically and above all mentally, they were superior throughout the match and deserved to win. We were not ready to play football at a professional level, and I felt that. We have to look within ourselves and do better," as relayed via Milan News.
And the level in the Champions League would be even higher...
"We have to focus on the small details, without thinking about the Champions League or anything like that. We just have to focus on improving the more specific aspects of football: mentality, heart and passion. We have to improve in these areas."
What is Ferencvaros' level in European football, how would you assess them?
"I don't know, it depends on the opponent, but they are doing very well. They have four wins in four matches, a clear identity, and today they were superior to us."
What has this match told you about Milan?
"That we are not ready. We are not ready, we are a long way from being a truly strong team. We have moments in some matches when we are really strong, but then we fail to maintain that level, especially mentally. So this match has told me and all of us that we are not ready to be a very strong team."
During the first half, I noticed that you were very energetic on the touchline, and then it almost seemed as though you stopped giving instructions. Would it be fair to say that there is a certain lack of understanding between you and the team, and that they are not playing in the way you would like?
"No, I simply do what I feel in that moment, and sometimes I don't make certain gestures just for show. We didn't play well, that's for sure; we had a completely different attitude in our last league match, whereas today we were not mentally prepared to fight for the win, and that is what we have to work on."
If the derby had not taken place at the weekend, do you think this match would have gone better?
"I have no idea, it doesn't matter. It is irrelevant; we have to be ready to play every three days in different competitions. So it doesn't matter whether we had a match beforehand or not. I believe we have to improve enormously in every aspect of the game."
Torriani played his first match as a starter. How would you assess his performance today?
"I think he did well in the first half. He had a difficult moment with one pass, but Lorenzo bears no responsibility for the team's performance. In fact, in the first half, he gave us the time to try to change something after the break. So Lorenzo just has to keep working. We have to improve as a team to become stronger."
