Amorim: ‘No explanation for Milan performance, we are not ready to play’

ITALY - NOVEMBER 05: Ruben Amorim, Head Coach of AC Milan, looks on before the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD4 match between AC Milan and Ferencvarosi TC at Stadio San Siro on November 05, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Ruben Amorim was furious and bemused by Milan’s 2-0 Europa League defeat to Ferencvaros. ‘There is no explanation. We were not prepared to play football. We are not ready to play every three days.’

The Rossoneri cannot seem to find any consistency, as they can follow up the 3-1 Derby della Madonnina triumph against rivals Inter with this remarkably sluggish performance in the same stadium.

Lenny Joseph pounced on two defensive and goalkeeping errors to beat 21-year-old Lorenzo Torriani, deputising for suspended Mike Maignan and injured Pietro Terracciano, to give Ferencvaros a 2-0 victory at San Siro.

Amorim bemused by Milan attitude

“There is no explanation. There is nothing I can say, especially about the first half,” confessed a visibly shaken Amorim to Sky Sport Italia.

“I don’t remember us playing any other first half performances like that. This is about ambition, concentration. We gifted opportunities, made stupid errors. We were not prepared to play football tonight.”

How does the coach think this can be the same team that ran riot against Inter at the weekend in Serie A, yet had such a totally different approach?

“It is difficult to explain,” added Amorim.

“Quite simply, we were not ready to go from the derby to this competition. When you play with the Milan jersey, you have a responsibility, and you cannot turn up like this.

“Probably I didn’t do enough to make sure the team was ready.”

There are quite a few injuries that reduce the options, but after three defeats in the opening four Europa League matches, it is evident they struggle on a Thursday evening.

“We are not ready to be competitive on two fronts. We’ve got to work on our approach and the way we view football. There are no excuses tonight, there is nothing that I can say.

“I usually have a lot to say to defend my team, but tonight I really don’t. We must be humble and try to understand what happened.”

It is not the first time that Milan have stepped up several gears in the big games, only to crumble when they seem to take things for granted, so what can Amorim do about this situation that goes back long before his arrival?

“Perhaps I did something wrong over the last two days, but I saw the team had similar problems last season. We have to find a solution. We were not ready tonight, we showed no courage. If we don’t win, we should at least do everything we can to turn the situation around, but we didn’t see that tonight.”

It was the first match where Strahinja Pavlovic was allowed rest after playing almost every minute of the season so far, and Amorim admits the defender was missed.

“Everyone ought to train like Pavlovic. He is ready to die in training, he sets a good example. At times, players struggle when they do not start matches, but there are no excuses, we ought to have won with those who started too.

“We have to fix it! We cannot think that this is just how it goes. We should’ve done so many things better this evening,” said an increasingly agitated Amorim.

“Just being better on the second balls would’ve helped. We were just not in the game.”

At this stage, losing three of the opening four, it is likely Milan won’t be able to turn this around and stay in the Europa League beyond January.

“I have to think about Serie A, obviously, but we do need to do well in the Europa League too. We can and must win games despite squad rotation. We have to be ready, and right now we are not, to play and win every three days.

“I will not give up on this competition, though, so as long as it is mathematically possible, we will fight in this competition just like the others.”