Amorim: ‘Milan lack of mobility needed change, Serie A has high value’

Ruben Amorim reveals why a ‘lack of mobility’ prompted his Milan tactical change and how impressed he is with Serie A opponents like Sassuolo. ‘People don’t give this league the value it deserves.’

It kicks off at the Mapei Stadium on Sunday at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST).

The Rossoneri had been stuttering with draws against Juventus and Lazio, but above all that 2-0 Europa League home defeat to Benfica.

It prompted Amorim to change tack and adopt a four-man defence for the more convincing 3-0 victory over Lecce, but the long international break has seen Alexis Saelemaekers and Pervis Estupinan ruled out by lengthy injuries.

Amorim still trying to find his Milan

“We lost a lot of players, but that is a good sign that our players are important for the national team,” said Amorim in his press conference when asked about the new international calendar.

“They have to understand we need to start running really fast now, these games are very important for our season. It doesn’t change a lot, two or three weeks, there are positives and negatives.

“I felt the players are happy to return, so this is a good place to work. Omari Hutchinson had time to work and be more specific in a lot of things, so we used every minute of this break.

“We saw Diego Moreira playing on both sides for Belgium, so that is a good thing for us to know. He is more direct on the left, on the right trying for one against one situations. He faced a lot of strong teams, he defended a lot in both those games, which is very important for me.

“We all know his characteristics, he has pace, is strong, can be dangerous one against one, and can play on both sides. I think you are going to see Moreira playing both sides in our team too.”

Goncalo Ramos impressed when representing Portugal in the Nations League, further raising questions over why he seems so ineffective for Milan.

“My job as a manager is getting the team to play better, it is not to put one player in a position to score more goals individually,” argued Amorim.

“We need to create more chances for our strikers, all our strikers, to put the ball in the box more often. I have my own ideas, I know what we want to do.”

There were high expectations when Milan started the season, but they have already been lowered significantly after this rough start.

“The idea is always to win titles, I don’t know how long it is going to take, but we are taking those steps to win. In this club you cannot think we are going to win in two or three years, we are a top club, we have to think we’re going to win now,” insisted Amorim.

“It is step by step to reach this goal, as there are a lot of good teams in the league. Serie A is becoming a little bit different, the new rules about not wasting time is getting more minutes and speed in the game. Everyone was complaining about 0-0 draws, but there are none this season.

“Venezia is bottom of the table, but if you watch them playing, they are pressing all over the pitch. It was a surprise for me to see the quality of the games, the players and the managers. I am really pleased to be here, I want to be part of this league, do my share to improve the league, so I am very honoured to be here. People don’t give Serie A the value it deserves.

“I am having fun preparing the games, I often have a lot of issues to deal with, as there are so many different styles.”

So much was made of Amorim finally scrapping the three-man defence after refusing to do so at Manchester United, but he insists it wasn’t such a vast shift.

“It depends on the game and the situation, the important thing is they know how to play with three or four. It’s the same players, but small changes to the movement can change the dynamics of the game.

“We face very good managers, so we need to create different things to surprise my colleagues in the other team. I know what we’re going to do tomorrow, but I cannot tell you because otherwise Alberto Aquilani will know. It’s not a big change, I just want my players to be comfortable.”

Amorim was asked what he saw in recent matches that prompted him to make that tactical switch to four at the back?

“What I saw in the last game was more mobility, they were not so stuck in position. We were already defending with three and four at times, but what I felt was this freedom can help my players to play better. Watching the last games, especially against Benfica when we had so much possession, but a lack of mobility, that made me understand we needed to be different.

“This is one more tool, that is all, it depends on the opponent.”

Aquilani was a player at amongst others Liverpool, Roma, Milan and Sporting CP.

“I remember Aquilani not just from Sporting, but I also had the same coach, Jorge Jesus, for seven years, so we talked about that. He is a very smart player, you see many midfielders go on to become managers,” continued Amorim.

“This feels like the best place to become a manager, because I keep coming up against former Milan players as coaches! You can see he is really modern in the approach, you can see the influence of Roberto De Zerbi, the way they push the centre-backs to make the runs with Lauriente and Berardi, they want to be really positive with the ball, are really smart when to press.

“He played in different places, so I think he will have a big future for sure in football.”

Francesco Camarda dropped to the bench for the Italy Under-21 side, partly because he has barely featured for Milan this season, so are they looking for any January signings and to let him leave on loan?

“You can ask Mr Cardinale about new players, he is there! I can tell you Camarda is going to play more minutes now, we cannot forget we are Milan and he is learning a lot of things, but he is ready.”

Alphadjo Cisse did play for the Italy Under-21 side, oddly as a centre-forward, so could he take that role for Milan too?

“Yes, I think he has the characteristics to play in the central zone, not as a real striker, but that can help in certain games.”

There will be a reunion tomorrow with Amorim’s former Benfica teammate Nemanja Matic, who is still going strong at Sassuolo.

“The pace is no longer the same, that’s normal, but it’s so hard to take the ball off that guy, because he protects it so well, and brings a lot of experience to that team, in the tempo, how to control, how to pass forward, build up from three.

“So I want to see him again… but I also don’t want to see him again! I expect to win the game, and then give a hug to Matic. He’s a top player and more importantly he’s a top guy.”