Twenty-four points in 11 matches: better than Allegri, Fonseca and Pioli (in his final season). But in Europe, only one win in four matches...
Ruben Amorim’s impact on Serie A has been better than that of many other coaches who have recently managed Milan. The figure that stands out at the international break is 24 points in the standings after eleven league matches, which means an average of 2.18 points per match.
To find a better run, one has to go all the way back to the year following the Scudetto, in the 2022/23 season, when the Rossoneri were coached by Stefano Pioli.
That year, the Diavolo had 26 points after eleven matchdays, while in the following years their performance was inferior in terms of points earned. Still under Pioli, in the 2023/24 season, Milan had accumulated 22 points, two fewer than today. Under Paulo Fonseca, Milan had only 17 points after eleven matchdays and were eighth in the standings. Last year, under Max Allegri, the Diavolo were third in the standings, but with 22 points.
First time...
And compared to Pioli, Fonseca and Allegri, the new Portuguese coach is having his very first experience in Serie A.
In fact, Amorim is still learning Italian football, the tactical difficulties encountered in the league, its strengths and weaknesses, as pointed out via Corriere dello Sport. The Rossoneri, under Amorim’s guidance, have lost only once in the league, at home against Bologna by 2-4, while the highlight of these first eleven matches remains the 3-1 victory in the derby against Inter.
Their run in Serie A is in line with the season’s objective of securing a place in the Champions League.
Improvement
In Europe, however, the team’s performances are completely different. In four matches, the Diavolo have achieved only one convincing victory against Salzburg, but above all three heavy defeats, in which they have conceded seven goals without scoring a single one.
The heaviest defeat was the 3-0 loss away to Bournemouth, a match that was, however, influenced by two penalties and the sending-off of Mike Maignan. Amorim is not at all satisfied with how the team is managing the international competition, to the point of admitting that the squad is not yet ready to compete at its best in both competitions.
Amorim's Milan must be reinforced...
Upon returning after the break, he will have to accelerate in order not to miss out on qualification for the Europa League playoffs. The truth of these first three months is that Milan, with their starters, can be genuinely competitive, but when the coach rotates the squad to avoid injuries, the team always struggles and very often loses.
One more reason to intervene in the January transfer market and strengthen the squad in order to reach the end of the season in better shape.
