Amorim Warns Milan Have Work to Do, But Ramos Shines as a Two-in-One Striker

FolioPitch.com – 29 August 2026 | Ruben Amorim admitted that “Amorim Milan have work to do but Ramos seems like two strikers” after his side scraped a 2-0 win over Venezia at San Siro. The Portuguese coach was candid about his team’s performance, acknowledging defensive frailties while praising Goncalo Ramos for his match-winning contribution.

For much of the evening, Milan looked frustrated. The Rossoneri dominated possession but struggled to break down a stubborn Venezia defense. In their first home match of the season, the fans grew restless as clear-cut chances went begging. It was only after Amorim introduced Alexis Saelemaekers and Adrien Rabiot that the game swung decisively in Milan’s favor.

Saelemaekers was the catalyst. A swift counter-attack saw him slip a disguised pass through for Ramos, who kept his composure to slot home the opener. Moments later, Saelemaekers again unlocked Venezia on the break, sending Ardon Jashari through; his shot ricocheted off defender Redouane Halhal and into the net. The two goals finally lifted the San Siro crowd, but Amorim refused to get carried away.

Speaking to DAZN Italia, Amorim stressed that the performance highlighted exactly why “Amorim Milan have work to do but Ramos seems like two strikers” is such a fitting assessment. “It’s easy to understand the game. I already said it would be a very tough match because of the way they play,” he said. “We know the first game at San Siro, everyone expects us to score fast, then we leave strong strikers one against one. We had more chances, but we never had long periods of possession, we never calmed the game down. That was a little bit what Venezia wanted. We managed some things well, but this game shows we have a lot of work to do.”

The victory was Milan’s second successive comeback win after their 2-1 triumph at Torino, where Rabiot proved the difference. This time, the substitutes changed the game again. Amorim explained his decision to bring on Saelemaekers and Rabiot for Alphadjo Cisse and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. “I felt in that position we had space and needed creativity in that movement. My first thinking was to move Loftus-Cheek over to the other side, also because set plays can change the game, but then I felt we needed another change and different creativity near the goal,” he said.

Defensively, this was Milan’s first clean sheet under Amorim in a competitive fixture, but the coach was far from satisfied. His side continues to look vulnerable to crosses and transition moments. “We need to improve the way we defend crosses in the box and have to spend time in training on that. When we are attacking, the centre-backs have to think the game is different; it’s about preparing the transitions. Sometimes they are just looking at the play, like spectators waiting to see what happens in front of them,” Amorim explained.

The coach also acknowledged the weight of playing at such an iconic venue. “I just want to say also that it is not easy to play in this amazing stadium. We know the fans have lots of memories of great teams, the pressure is big, but we are working really hard. Sometimes the win is not so beautiful, but it is important for our path,” he added.

At the heart of Milan’s attacking display was Goncalo Ramos, the €80m investment from Paris Saint-Germain. Despite missing several earlier opportunities, Ramos showcased the relentless mentality that Amorim admires. “Of course he’s a striker, we paid a lot of money because he scores goals, but the way he plays, works, connects the game, that means a lot,” said Amorim. “Sometimes it looks like we have two guys breaking the line, but it’s just Goncalo Ramos. The way he didn’t score big opportunities, he was composed for the third one and free to score a goal. That shows he is an experienced player; he’s not thinking about the missed chances, he’s thinking about the next one.”

Indeed, Ramos’s movement caused havoc throughout, constantly stretching Venezia’s backline and linking play effectively. His ability to occupy multiple defenders simultaneously made him appear unstoppable, a trait that could prove pivotal for Milan this season.

Milan’s supporters left San Siro with three points, but the performance posed as many questions as it answered. The midfield creativity remains inconsistent, and defensive lapses against a newly promoted side could be punished by stronger opponents. Amorim’s honesty is refreshing, but he will know that patience in the stands is not infinite.

Nevertheless, the result provides a platform to build upon. As the coach continues to implement his tactical ideas, the balance between attacking freedom and defensive solidity will be the key challenge. The phrase “Amorim Milan have work to do but Ramos seems like two strikers” captures the dichotomy perfectly: while much improvement is needed, having a forward of Ramos’s caliber is a huge advantage.

For now, Milan can enjoy a winning start at home, but the real test lies ahead. With the Champions League looming and a packed schedule, Amorim must find a way to make his team both prolific and resilient. The pieces are there, but assembling them into a coherent whole remains a work in progress.