Amorim Fires Back at Criticism: Rotation, Young Players, and Milan’s Plan

FolioPitch.com – 15 October 2026 | AC Milan head coach Ruben Amorim discusses criticism received need for rotation and handling of young players ahead of the Europa League clash with RB Salzburg, addressing the media with a defiant yet measured tone. The Portuguese coach, who has faced a wave of negativity following a 1-1 draw with Sassuolo and a 2-0 defeat to Benfica, insisted that the noise from outside will not derail his clear plan for the Rossoneri.

Amorim, speaking from the Red Bull Arena on the eve of the match, acknowledged the pressure that comes with managing a top club. “It’s normal at top clubs, and I realized it right from the game against Juventus,” he said. “I have a job to do; I leave the noise to other people. And when I look at the team, we’re improving. We’re controlling games more, we’re pressing more, we’re playing with the ball more, and we’re creating more chances every time. At a top club, if you don’t win, that kind of thing is normal.”

The coach also confirmed that he will rotate his squad against Salzburg, a team unbeaten in their last 15 games across all competitions. “We need to rotate a bit, we’ll do some rotation,” Amorim stated. “We have some players who are doubtful for tomorrow; we’ll see tomorrow morning. And then, the risk I’ll take is only mine, because I’m the only one who can live with the results, but I have a clear plan for what to do with this team, the plan I want for this club.”

When pressed on the balance between rotation and maintaining stability, Amorim was unequivocal. “The fact is that they train together, they play together. All the players who will take to the field tomorrow have already played a few minutes or have started a few matches: they’ve been important.” He also highlighted the need to manage the squad carefully, especially with young players who are eager to prove themselves.

One of those young players is Francesco Camarda, who has been impressive in training. “No one knows anything about a player unless they play: that’s the main issue,” Amorim explained. “Camarda is doing great, he earned his place during summer training, he’s done his job, and he’ll get his chance. It’s clear that we’ve structured the squad to leave room for these young players. Cisse is already playing, Camarda has had a few minutes, Comotto isn’t playing right now, but we have to let these guys play because sometimes they can surprise you, given that they’re part of the squad and train every day with the other players.”

Amorim also addressed the speculation surrounding his relationship with owner Gerry Cardinale, who was reportedly unimpressed with the weekend’s result. “I didn’t notice anything: just a conversation about the future, a conversation about summer training with some members of the management team, also to decide the location of the next training camp. So it was a normal day at work. I didn’t notice anything, it was just another day.”

Drawing on a musical metaphor, Amorim compared football to an orchestra, but insisted he is no Mozart. “What I know about playing and champions is that the two are connected. You can have great players, but if they don’t play the same way, you don’t have a team. At the same time, if you want to do different things, do things at the highest level and have possession, but you don’t have good players, it’s equally impossible. If you don’t have fast players, you can’t play one-on-one at the back. If you’re not tall, you can’t score many goals from set pieces. So I think everything is interconnected. The beautiful thing about football is that sometimes you can win without the best players, but you can also lose disastrously even with the best in your squad. That’s why it’s difficult to isolate a single element in football or have a certain formula for winning: you can win in different ways. The important thing for me is to have fun, and you have to give everything for the team: this is the fundamental aspect I look for in my players.”

He continued: “And then they have to play good football… I like very strong players. I like defenders who think like a number 10, I like defenders who know how to dare with the ball and who know how to mark. The man one-on-one. So, to answer you: I’m not Mozart, I’m far from that. I’m a normal guy with clear principles, who likes very strong players, but who especially loves players who give their all for the team. That’s the main thing.”

When reminded of Arrigo Sacchi’s famous quote about the orchestra being more important than the soloists, Amorim laughed. “Sacchi is like Mozart. These are different times: and it’s important to explain this to our fans. Different times, different moments, different people… it will take a little longer to get there. Today, however, you know better than I do that everything has to happen quickly, otherwise it seems like there’s no time. But for me, there’s a clear plan: if we have time, we’ll have time. Otherwise, we’ll move forward.”

The match against Salzburg carries added significance, as Milan look to bounce back from their opening Europa League defeat. Salzburg, under new head coach Danny Röhl, have been in impressive form, defeating Levski Sofia in their first group game. Amorim is fully aware of the challenge. “They’re a team with a lot of pace and quality. They have some technical players. They’re a team used to winning. It’ll be a tough match, but I’ve talked to the players about it. Pavlo told me about the atmosphere. We’ll be playing in a great stadium and we’re ready.”

Amorim also confirmed that Strahinja Pavlovic, who previously played for Salzburg, will start the match. “I haven’t talked much about this with Pavlo, I just talked to him about his role tomorrow. He’ll be a starter tomorrow.”

In conclusion, Amorim’s press conference was a masterclass in deflection and determination. He addressed the criticism head-on, reaffirmed his commitment to rotation and youth development, and made it clear that the responsibility for results rests solely on his shoulders. As Milan prepare for a crucial Europa League fixture, Amorim’s steady hand and clear vision may be exactly what the club needs to navigate through turbulent waters. The coming weeks will reveal whether his plan can silence the critics and steer Milan towards success.