AC Milan head coach Ruben Amorim believes the club has been lacking Gennaro Gattuso’s passion, while he highlighted the lessons from the Juventus game.
All things considered, Milan have had quite a solid start to the season, having won two and drawn one from their opening three games. They began the season with wins against Torino away and Venezia at home, two quite dominant performances that merited three points each.
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The Rossoneri dropped points for the first time last weekend, drawing 1-1 against Juventus in Turin. It was close to being three wins from three, but for a last-gasp equaliser that the home side probably deserved, as Amorim himself admitted after the game.
It was quite a refreshingly honest post-match interview from the coach, who acknowledged his side were way off the levels expected and were actually quite fortunate to even get a point. Now, we will see if a response follows in the capital.
Amorim discusses
Speaking in the press conference room at Milanello on the eve of the trip to the Stadio Olimpico, Amorim answered questions on a number of topics from last week’s display to his expectations and a few individuals too. His words are via MilanNews.
First up, Abate, then Stroppa. Tomorrow, it’s Gattuso. Different periods in Milan’s history. But what different will Gattuso propose on the pitch?
“The first thing about tomorrow is that Lazio is a team with a lot of pace and a great identity. Frattesi was a great signing, he gives them great aggression up front. They have two wingers who are good with the ball. They have a new striker.
“[They are] A team that’s doing well after three wins. They lost in the Coppa Italia and then started Serie A like this; football is strange, funny. Gattuso is a Milan legend: talent isn’t everything.
“The passion he had is something we need to rediscover at our club. It’s been missing in recent years, it needs to be put on the pitch. With passion and commitment, many problems can be overcome.”
Photo by AC Milan
Have you analysed what went wrong against Juventus?
“We talked about it and worked on a lot of things we didn’t do well in the last match. We lacked energy. We controlled the ball well in the first half, but we lacked aggression in the final third to get enough players into the penalty area.
“I showed the guys that Juventus’ chances came from us losing the ball without pressure, from poor and lazy passes. These are situations that can make the difference.”
Ramos touched the ball very few ties against Juventus, but he ran a lot…
“We shouldn’t rely on just one player: we didn’t play well against the team. If we lose the ball without pressure, we have several problems… When Ramos had the ball, the understanding with his teammates wasn’t the best, and he knows it.
“We need to improve as a team: against Torino and Venezia, he did very well. In those games, we showed that we know how to set him up, and against Juventus, he didn’t have the same performance. Ramos is a player who can perform very well.”
Some say Modric, at 41, is struggling with this style of football. What’s your opinion?
“It makes sense. Luka can’t always press, but on the other hand, he always has control of the game and understands it better than anyone else. As a coach, I have to choose. We might lose something in pressing, but with the ball we have more control with Modric on the pitch.
“Against Juventus, perhaps there was less pressing and at times Douglas Luiz had more time to manage, but look at when we had the ball. I think if we have to lose something, it’s better if it’s without the ball, whereas with the ball we always have to have that extra something.
“And Luka gives us that extra something. I understand this criticism, it’s fair, but you have to have a complete vision: Modric allows us to manage the ball better and I want a team that dominates in possession.”
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
AC Milan’s former greats agree on giving you time. Does this inspire confidence? Do you feel the team is improving?
“We have to improve in every training session. If something isn’t working, we gain a lot of information and bring it to training. After Juventus, we learned what to do in those situations. We’ll see tomorrow.
“Regarding the first part of your question: I’ve already worked at a club with many legends, and legends have very strong opinions. However, I live in a different era and I know what the club is going through, but I don’t want my players to forget the importance of playing and winning for Milan.
“For me, that’s the most important thing. We need time, but how much time we have depends on the club, not me. We need to build a foundation to win consistently, and that takes time. If we look at the Premier League, how long did it take Arsenal to win?
“And if we also look at Italy, with Juventus and Inter, it takes time to win consistently and you have to build something. And to gain time, we need to win on Saturday. By winning, we’ll have more time to build our project.”
Is there any news tomorrow for those who play behind Gonçalo Ramos?
“I won’t say who will play. Pulisic is training well, Cisse is doing well, and Saelemaekers too. Hutchinson is improving his fitness, Loftus-Cheek is there… If you look at the last few games, whoever came off the bench has changed the game, that’s a big thing. I won’t say who will play, but I have a feeling it will be a strong team.”
Photos by AC Milan
Is Cisse ready for the national team? And regarding the standings: a win would put you first for a night..
“The standings don’t matter to me right now. Being first for one night wouldn’t be special, it’s true for kids, for my son (laughs). If Cisse were playing for the national team, he’d be free, he’s ready. But in the second half, he needs more time to develop.
“I’ve already noticed a difference between home and away games. Playing at San Siro is tough, give him time. But if you put him in the national team, he won’t be shy, he’ll play. But give him time to become the player he can be.”
How’s Pulisic?
“You’ll see him tomorrow, I don’t know if he’ll start or play during the game. I think he’ll play a few minutes. I really like him as a player. He’s upset because he’s had zero minutes so far, and I like that in my players.
“Don’t forget he had an injury in the summer, and then in the first training session he had a knock and stopped. I won’t remove anyone who’s doing well just to name a player: this is my way of managing the group, and I’ll die with these principles.
“Pulisic is very important to me. After the international break, there are eight weeks with three games a week: everyone will be tired from all the playing time. Pulisic is important and will play a lot of games.
“But you have to understand the context and my history to understand why I make certain choices. But you’ll see Pulisic starting this weekend.”
Should Bondo be reinstated?
“We have enough players, we have an extra player for each position. We’re ready, we have players ready for all our needs.”
Is there another player in midfield with the same characteristics as Musah?
“Rabiot can play in the same position, as can Jashari. Musah can come in from behind, as can Rabiot. Jashari is a little different but can play as a number 8.
“Comotto is very young and is training in this position and is improving in every training session. Musah, Rabiot, Jashari, Comotto, and even Loftus-Cheek can play as number 8s, with different characteristics.”
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