Amorim Defends Milan Rotation: ‘Bournemouth Were Not Better Than Us’

FolioPitch.com – 26 October 2026 | Ruben Amorim has issued a defiant defence of his AC Milan squad and his tactical choices, insisting that Thursday’s chastening Europa League defeat at Bournemouth was a matter of competitiveness rather than quality. Speaking ahead of the Serie A clash with Udinese at the Bluenergy Stadium, the Portuguese coach addressed the fallout from a 3-0 loss that was heavily influenced by Mike Maignan’s early red card, while also confirming that several key players remain sidelined. In a clear message to his critics, Amorim stated that Amorim Milan players unavailable Bournemouth were not better than us, framing the result as a lesson in aggression rather than a technical gulf.

The Rossoneri were rocked in midweek when Maignan was dismissed for a shove on Tyler Adams as a corner was delivered, a moment of naivety that left Milan with an uphill battle from the very start. The French goalkeeper’s error proved costly, but Amorim revealed he has already held talks with his number one. “The players are not boys, they are men,” Amorim said. “Maignan understood right away he cannot do that, we cannot put ourselves in that position. I had a conversation with him, but I had a conversation with everyone.” The coach was keen to spread responsibility across the group, suggesting that the defeat was rooted in a collective failure to match Bournemouth’s intensity. “I felt what happened at the beginning with Bournemouth was nothing to do with tactics or technical qualities, because they were not better than us on a technical level, they were more competitive,” he added. “That is something we see in the first halves in the league too, it’s about how competitive we are. Sometimes we need to forget about playing really nice, we need to approach the game in a different way.”

Amorim’s comments come amid a deepening injury crisis that has forced him to reshuffle his pack for the trip to Udine. Adrien Rabiot, Mario Gila and Diego Moreira all sustained injuries against Bournemouth, joining Samuel Chukwueze, Matteo Gabbia, Alexis Saelemaekers and Pietro Terracciano on the sidelines. The mounting list of absentees has left the Milan coach with little room for manoeuvre, and he was candid about the limitations facing his squad. “They cannot play, it’s just not possible. We need to manage the players, and there are players here today too where we need to manage their minutes,” Amorim explained to DAZN Italia. “With this schedule, it’s impossible to use everyone at the same time. Because we need to try to win every game, we need to balance everything, and they are not available for today.” The situation is so severe that Fikayo Tomori and Sankhoun Diawara were handed their first Serie A starts of the season in a revamped defence, with suggestions that Amorim might deploy a 4-4-2 formation to cope with Udinese’s five-man back line.

Despite the enforced changes, Amorim remains convinced that his starting XI is the best available for the occasion. “We know that Udinese have five players at the back, so we try to play in a different way,” he noted. “What matters is the rotation, I try to choose the players that are available physically, and then look at their characteristics. If I had all the players then I might play a different way, but today my feeling is this is the best starting XI for the game. It won’t be the line-up to finish, but it’s the best to start.” The coach’s pragmatic approach reflects the reality of a congested fixture list, with a midweek round against Bologna looming before Saturday’s Derby della Madonnina against Inter. The next seven days could prove pivotal for Milan’s campaign, and Amorim is fully aware that his squad’s depth will be tested to its limits.

On the attacking front, there was some positive news as Goncalo Ramos was declared fit to feature. “Goncalo Ramos is ready to play, otherwise he wouldn’t be here. He had a problem midweek, he has recovered, everyone here including those on the bench are ready to play,” Amorim confirmed. The return of the Portuguese forward offers a timely boost, but the coach’s primary concern remains the psychological and physical resilience of his team. Milan are still unbeaten in Serie A this season, yet they have rarely looked convincing, held to draws by Juventus, Lazio and Sassuolo, and nearly squandering a 3-0 lead in their 3-2 win over Atalanta. The pattern of sluggish first-half performances has become a recurring theme, and Amorim believes it is a matter of mentality rather than ability. “That is something we see in the first halves in the league too, it’s about how competitive we are,” he reiterated, doubling down on his assertion that Amorim Milan players unavailable Bournemouth were not better than us in pure footballing terms.

The Milan boss also took the opportunity to remind his players that aesthetics must sometimes be sacrificed for results. “Sometimes we need to forget about playing really nice, we need to approach the game in a different way,” he said. It is a message that resonates with a squad that has too often flattered to deceive this season. While the Rossoneri possess undoubted technical quality, their inability to match the physicality and aggression of opponents has cost them dear, particularly in Europe. The defeat at Bournemouth was a stark warning, and Amorim is determined to ensure his players learn from it. The fact that he felt compelled to repeat that Amorim Milan players unavailable Bournemouth were not better than us underlines his belief that the gap between Milan and their rivals is one of application, not talent.

As Milan prepare for a crucial week that could define their season, Amorim’s focus is firmly on navigating the immediate challenges. The injury list shows no sign of shortening, and the coach’s rotation policy will continue to be dictated by necessity rather than choice. Yet there is a quiet confidence emanating from the Milan camp, a sense that once the absentees return, the team will be capable of mounting a serious challenge on multiple fronts. For now, however, Amorim must make do with the resources at his disposal, and he is adamant that his players are ready to fight for every point. The trip to Udinese represents the first step on a demanding journey, and the Milan coach will be hoping that his side can rediscover the competitive edge that he believes was missing in Bournemouth.

In conclusion, Ruben Amorim’s press conference served as both a defence of his squad and a rallying cry for the challenges ahead. While the injury crisis has forced his hand, the Portuguese coach remains steadfast in his belief that Milan’s problems are fixable and that his team possesses the quality to compete with the best. The coming days will reveal whether his words have the desired effect, but one thing is certain: Amorim will not allow his players to forget that Amorim Milan players unavailable Bournemouth were not better than us — and that the response must come on the pitch.