Cardinale: ‘I’ll be devastated if Milan don’t win the derby, Amorim was a great choice’

Gerry Cardinale admits he will be “devastated” if Milan fail to beat Inter tonight, and has given Rúben Amorim his full backing after Wednesday’s home defeat to Bologna.

With quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, the Milan owner spoke to journalist Carlo Pellegatti on Friday evening, a day before the Derby della Madonnina at San Siro, which kicks off at 20:45 CET [19:45 GMT].

“It’s a fantastic night. Tomorrow is a big game,” he said. “My job isn’t to increase the emotions. My job is to keep everything steady and focused, and to provide the leadership so we do what we need to do. Tomorrow we need to win the first 45 minutes and then the next ones.

“It’s a long season, but this is our home derby, I want it more than anything else, and I’ll be devastated if we don’t win.”

Cardinale backs Amorim after Milan defeat to Bologna

Milan are fifth on 18 points, seven behind leaders Inter and Lazio. Wednesday’s 4-2 loss to Bologna was their first league defeat under Amorim. A derby defeat would leave them 10 points off the top, and the Portuguese coach’s position is already being questioned.

Cardinale, who was at San Siro for the Bologna game, made it clear he has no doubts.

“We need to stay united. Everyone, the fans, the press, everyone must support Milan,” he said. “Ruben is doing a great job, I made a great choice. He really cares. He’s coaching, he’s mentoring, and I’ve met every one of the players. I looked them in the eyes, and I’m telling you they want to win.

“It’s just a matter of time. Either you want to win or you don’t. I want to win, the boys do, and so does Amorim.”