Former Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim took charge of AC Milan for the first time in a competitive game on Sunday
Ruben Amorim during the game against Torino(Image: Chris Ricco/Getty Images)
Former Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim tasted victory in his first competitive game in charge of AC Milan on Sunday. However, the Portuguese coach was given a rough ride by Italian media despite his side seeing off Torino 2-1.
Amorim took charge of Milan this summer after being sacked by United in January. His new team beat United in a pre-season friendly earlier this month, and appear to have carried the momentum from that win into the start of the new season. It was Alphadjo Cisse who grabbed the headlines on Sunday, with the Italian teenager scoring on his Serie A debut as Milan struck twice in three minutes to seal the three points.
Milan dominated throughout but struggled to capitalise until the 64th minute, when Adrien Rabiot, who was brought on by Amorim in the second half, crossed for Cisse, who turned the ball home. Rabiot then turned from provider to scorer just three minutes later with a fine close-range volley.
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Amorim is the first foreign coach to win their first season opener in charge of Milan since 2009. But the Italian media laid into the ex-United chief for his line-up selection and his lack of “common sense,” while claiming there is much for Amorim to improve on. The Manchester Evening News takes a closer look.
Calciomercato
The Italian outlet claimed that “Amorim got off to a good start, a solid debut” as Milan earned three important points in Turin.
It added: “However, it’s important to be clear: the Portuguese coach had the wrong line-up. Except for one: Cisse, who made up for it with a goal and a superb performance for a player who deserves close attention in a controversial role like the one formerly occupied by Rafa Leao.
“Amorim wasn’t convincing at first with that line-up; sterile possession led to nothing. Then, when Modric, Rabiot, Saelemaekers, Gabbia, and all of last year’s leaders, who had been undeservedly left on the bench, came on, the team took on a new form and naturally brought it home with a great goal and an assist for Cisse. Regardless, the performance was positive and the confidence boost was significant.”
Corriere della Sera
Corriere della Sera were less than convinced by Amorim. It wrote: “Coaches are a strange breed; the amiable Amorim fields a puzzling line-up against Toro, revealing nothing about who is supposed to provide the ideas and turn them into action, or who should dictate the tempo and the play.
“The camera pans to the bench and you feel a pang of nostalgia, wondering why Modric and Rabiot are sitting there idly. Well, Amorim’s mysteries — he knows better than we do. [Ignazio, Torino manager] Abate’s Toro is far more organised, having been given a clear identity.
“He will grow, improve, and carve out his own path. But when does the *Granata* resistance finally crumble? Simple: when Amorim uses common sense and tweaks his initial ideas, finally calling on Modric and Rabiot to rise from the bench and create. They certainly know how to do it, and the excellent Cisse reaps the benefits, too.”
Ruben Amorim made changes in the second half to turn the tide of the game(Image: Getty)
Quotidiano Sportivo
The publication said: “Milan plays the game but fails to sting.” They added: “The Rossoneri didn’t impress, they didn’t overwhelm Torino with their play, but they presented themselves compactly and orderly, maintaining 75 per cent possession for almost an hour… When Amorim sent on Modric, Rabiot, and Saelemaekers , the team stretched out and the game changed.
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“It’s no coincidence that in the final minutes, Milan struggled especially on their right flank, conceding at least three clear chances to score before the score was 2-1 in injury time.
“Five minutes were all it took for Amorim’s team to secure their first three points. Considering the many key players still to be included and their inevitably sketchy condition, that’s enough for now.
“We haven’t yet seen truly productive attacking in the attacking midfield: that will come with time, as will Goncalo Ramos’ greater involvement in the play. But the first response, especially in the coach’s decisions, has already arrived.”
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