GdS: ‘There’s no time’ – Amorim has Cardinale’s backing but turning point is needed
The alarm bells are not ringing for Gerry Cardinale just yet, but Ruben Amorim hopes that Sunday’s game against Lecce brings a turning point.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) recall that in midweek against Benfica disappointment was compounded by further disappointment. Instead of a Champions League game, last season’s Milan side had only secured a spot in the Europa League.
Fans had built up the anticipation by packing the stadium, yet rather than a spectacle of great play and results, they witnessed a worryingly lacklustre performance. This was a letdown for everyone and naturally for Cardinale, too, who had assembled the squad with different ambitions.
Given the heavy investment in the transfer window and his unwavering support for the team, he had expected a different outcome. He watched the match from New York, where he will remain for a few more hours before returning to Milan to take his seat in the stands for the Lecce match.
The summer choice
Out of all the candidates spoken to in the summer, Cardinale wanted Amorim. The Portuguese manager won the audition for the role with his charisma and the uncompromising approach he intended (and still intends) to use to shape the team.
He envisioned a dominant Milan side that controlled possession and the game, committed to scoring an extra goal rather than merely trying to avoid conceding one. Aggression, intensity, and entertaining football – qualities far removed from the Milan of the 2025–26 season.
Cardinale also offered Amorim both personal support (attending every match except the one two days ago) and substantial backing in the transfer market with high-profile signings. It would be unthinkable to abandon everything after just five matches and a single defeat.
Confidence in the coach remains unshaken therefore, and discussions following Wednesday’s match analysed the situation without blowing the consequences out of proportion. Amorim’s position is secure, with Cardinale standing firmly by his side.
That said, a change of course is needed, starting this Sunday against Lecce in the league. The Rossoneri must stability during the upcoming run of closely packed fixtures. Between the October and November international breaks, Milan will play nine matches, five of them away.
They will be in action every three days across Serie A and the Europa League: away games against Sassuolo and Salzburg; a home match against Atalanta; consecutive away trips to Bournemouth and Udine; followed by Milan vs. Bologna, the derby, Milan vs. Ferencváros, and Genoa vs. Milan.
The coach’s challenge
After his stint at United, Amorim chose Milan, fully aware of the difficulties involved. The ‘noise from critics’ – as he put it in one of his recent press conferences – weighs on him somewhat.
After the Europa League match, he was the last to leave the stadium, allowing himself no respite. He returned alone to Milanello and spent the night reflecting (there are no executives with whom he can discuss strictly tactical matters) before welcoming the squad back for training.
He aims to shield the team from external criticism, standing up for a group that includes players not much younger than himself. For example Luka Modrić is the same age, 41. He certainly isn’t shying away from the challenge he accepted just a few months ago.
He has been working with the squad for two months, and initial training results led to early victories against Torino and Venezia. Then came a step backward in terms of both gameplay and competitive intensity, something the coach himself acknowledged.
This is the area Amorim will focus on in the coming days. He has quickly put the disappointment of the European performance behind him. The coach places great emphasis on finding a sense of calm for which results are needed, especially before a three-week break.
Calm is needed to dispel the tension and nervousness that have been evident during matches. It is also about restoring smiles to players like Modrić, who didn’t get the chance to help the team during the Europa League game.
Adrien Rabiot and above all Christian Pulisic – whom Amorim described as ‘angry’ over his lack of playing time – will return to the starting lineup. There are also technical issues to address, something the coach has spoken about openly.
It takes time, but time is ‘bought by winning matches’, to quote Amorim again. If the revolution will take weeks, in the meantime it is necessary to win individual battles. From there, a platform is built for things to really take shape.
