Tassotti: Amorim’s Milan Must Build Champions League Foundation

FolioPitch.com – 08 October 2026 | AC Milan legend Mauro Tassotti has offered a measured assessment of Ruben Amorim’s early tenure, insisting that Tassotti discusses Amorim’s start, Milan’s defence and Champions League foundation as the key pillars for the club’s resurgence. In an exclusive interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the former defender, who spent 17 seasons at San Siro and made 583 official appearances, shared his insights on the new coach, the defensive setup, and the club’s ambitions.

Tassotti discusses Amorim’s start, Milan’s defence and Champions League foundation with a blend of optimism and realism. “It’s really too early to judge the work of a new coach, with a new team and above all new principles,” he said. “As expected, there have been some difficult moments but also many good things, just like in the last match against Lecce. Honestly, it was a start that was to be expected. Now, however, time is needed, the necessary time for Amorim to get to know the environment and the players themselves better.”

Amorim’s Milan began the 2026-27 season with back-to-back wins over Torino and Venezia, then drew against Juventus and Lazio, lost to Benfica, and rebounded against Lecce. This mixed start has left many wondering if the Portuguese coach can restore the Rossoneri to their former glory. Tassotti, however, remains patient. “I hope so, because the intentions are those of a proactive team. They must remain anchored to their principles and not give up at the first setbacks: in the Lazio game away, they were able to read the situation and find solutions to the two-goal deficit,” he explained.

The former full-back, who won five Scudetti and three European Cups with Milan, also praised Amorim’s communication style. “Personally, I like him a lot, on and off the pitch, for example, the way he communicates: he speaks a lot and clearly, perhaps even too much for what we are used to. With him, interviews are never superficial; he goes straight to the point. He did the same when he explained how he managed Modric.”

Turning to the defence, Tassotti’s area of expertise, he highlighted the impact of new signing Gila. “Gila has had a great impact, he’s already shown what he’s made of: you can feel it on the pitch. In reality, a defender needs less time to emerge and to learn the mechanisms, he needs less support from the team to show off his qualities. Unlike, for example, Moreira and Ramos, who necessarily need the support of the game. Returning to Gila: he’s dynamic, quick, excellent at recovering. The high line requires fast players and he is that. Plus, he’s flexible: he can play with three or four, if Milan changes. And he pairs well with a physically strong player like Pavlovic and a thinker like De Winter.”

On the wing-backs, Tassotti noted Chukwueze’s adaptation on the right but believes Estupinan’s injury could open doors for Bartesaghi on the left. “This is the first year that Chukwueze has been playing on the wing. I’ve seen him do good things, and some less so, with Milan finding themselves unbalanced in some dangerous situations. On the left, I expected more space for Bartesaghi regardless: he has the physique and technique.”

Regarding Luka Modric, Tassotti stressed the need for careful management. “Correct, he needs to be rationed. He’s a champion but he’s his age, even if he wasn’t confirmed to do him a favor. It’s clear that with him the team covers the pitch better, but it’s also true that with him and three forwards there’s a lot of space to cover…”

As for Ramos, the former defender urged patience. “I wouldn’t exactly call him a penalty-box striker. He didn’t play much in Paris, and I didn’t follow him in Portugal. Therefore, it seems wrong to judge him solely on his presence in the box. There are many ways to be a centre-forward, and he would perhaps perform better with another striker nearby. He’s good at assists and aerial play: let’s give him time. I understand the summer expense, but these are issues that are irrelevant: the expense was significant, but it doesn’t in and of itself guarantee that someone will score 25 goals. Paradoxically, that would be too easy. Moreira cost a lot, and by the same token, he should always start. But no, there’s a coach who knows better than anyone what to do, and evidently, for Moreira, he believes he needs more time.”

When asked about Milan’s objectives for the season, Tassotti was clear: “In Italy, I don’t see 4-5 teams that are significantly stronger, so I’d say the Champions League should be the foundation. They should do very well for the Scudetto, but who knows… It’s the same in Europe, even if their opponents are ‘easier’ only on paper.”

Tassotti also took a moment to remember Franco Baresi, his former teammate and captain. “A unique player, of inimitable quality. On the pitch, an incredible performance, always. The extraordinary affection from the entire sporting and non-sporting world has done his family and us former teammates good.”

In conclusion, Tassotti discusses Amorim’s start, Milan’s defence and Champions League foundation as interlinked elements that require patience and strategic vision. While the early results have been mixed, the legendary defender believes that with time and adherence to Amorim’s principles, Milan can once again become a force in Italy and Europe. The foundation must be the Champions League, and from there, the Rossoneri can build towards greater glory.