Tuttosport: Cardinale’s confidence in Amorim backed by numbers but crucial week awaits
Ruben Amorim has already had many challenges as AC Milan head coach, but so far he has dealt with them all relatively well.
Tuttosport write this morning that Amorim may have lost two Europa League games badly and perhaps changed his lineups too many times, especially in his first few matches. However, Milan are up there in the Serie A standings and, more importantly, haven’t lost yet.
Looking at the Rossoneri’s history over the last 65 years, this isn’t a minor detail. On the contrary, with Sunday’s win in Udine, the Portuguese coach reached eight consecutive league games without a defeat. From 1961 to today, only Luis Carniglia – way back in 1963-64 – has had a better start.
The Argentine – who won two European Cups with Real Madrid and also coached Fiorentina, Roma, and Juventus in Italy – went 13 games without a loss, although he was then dismissed after 23 matchdays, replaced by Nils Liedholm.
Furthermore, the Swede started with six consecutive positive results and, in this particular ranking of best starts at Milan, he was actually overtaken in second place by Amorim.
The former Sporting CP and United manager therefore started better than all the greatest coaches who passed through Milanello: better than Maldini (5), Rocco and Ancelotti (4), but also than the likes of Zaccheroni and Trapattoni (2), Sacchi, Capello, Allegri and Pioli (1).
Clearly, to write his name in the Rossoneri’s record books, Amorim will need to go beyond simply putting together more unbeaten games. He’ll need to maintain consistency, accumulate points, and at least bring Milan back into the Champions League.
More work to do
The mission continues tonight at San Siro against Bologna. Gerry Cardinale wants to win, but seeing Milan back competitive and high up in the table is clearly his primary objective. After attending the victory in Udine, Cardinale returned to Milan to watch today’s match.
Tomorrow is the presentation of the new stadium project, then Saturday is the derby. The owner also finalised his contract extension until 2031 with Christian Pulisic’s management and entourage, and will soon try to do the same with Veronique, Adrien Rabiot’s mother and agent.
Sadly, the Frenchman will be out tonight, along with all the other players unavailable (Gila, Gabbia, Chukwueze, Loftus-Cheek, Moreira, and Saelemaekers). Milan and Amorim hope to recover some for Inter – above all Gila, Moreira and Rabiot – but in the meantime, they’ll have to overcome Bologna.
Some changes are expected, also to avoid further injuries. Pavlovic could rest, with the young Diawara in the centre and Estupinan at left-back. Musah will come into midfield for Modric, and Alpha Cisse could play as an attacking midfielder in Pulisic’s place. It is not ruled out that Camarda may start.
