GdS: Youth, style, rotation and a €150m market – Amorim’s plan for ‘a super Milan’
Now that the window has closed, Ruben Amorim can continue building AC Milan in his image, and without any distractions.
La Gazzetta dello Sport write how the €150m summer window for Milan was strange one, with high spending at the start, then little or nothing at the end. There were no Italian players signed, and only one taken from Serie A.
The Diego Moreira deal came out of nowhere, and over time it was decided that a central defender wasn’t a primary need, after having been a top priority (even following Mario Gila’s arrival). At this point, it becomes interesting to see what Amorim will do with the squad he has at his disposal.
It’s clear he won’t be conservative – he’ll continue with his ideas, breaking with the past – but now the heart of the matter is here. He has five challenges to win.
Modric’s return
Luka Modric’s role in the new Milan is a big topic. Modric is and always will be a central midfielder, but there’s a huge difference between the way Allegri used him and the tasks Amorim will ask of him.
It’s one thing to play as a regista in a team that defends heavily, with two players at his side. It’s another to cover a lot of ground in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with one less midfielder near him.
Modric will need to be managed and, to a certain extent, protected, much like Real Madrid did in his last season in Spain. A large dose of rotation is expected.
Backing youth
Milan have deliberately built a squad where young players are key alternatives, not third choices. Amorim spoke about Camarda, making it clear that if Gonçalo Ramos isn’t available for whatever reason, the Italian will start.
The same goes for Sankhoun Diawara, the fifth name on the list of defenders in a three-man defence, and partially for Christian Comotto, who has climbed the midfield pecking order since Samuele Ricci’s departure.
Lorenzo Torriani is officially Mike Maignan’s deputy. On paper, a good sign for Italian football. For Amorim, it’s a delicate transition: he’ll have to figure out when to play a young player, when to keep him out of the game, and what to say to him to prepare him. It’s a tough challenge.
Playing the right way
Gerry Cardinale showed the way at the beginning of the summer: “We play to win, not to avoid losing.” Amorim took him at his word, and it wasn’t difficult: it’s his idea of football. Milan took risks against Torino and Venezia, setting up 3-2 wins rather than 1-0 wins.
This will please Milan fans after a year of Allegri’s style. The hard part will come in the more difficult periods, with games every three days and tougher opponents.
In December and January, for example: Sunderland, Napoli, Como, Monza, Fiorentina, and Roma all in a row, without rest. Maintaining consistency while combining balance and brilliance will not be easy.
Rotation
Is Moreira a winger or an attacking midfielder? Can Samuel Chukwueze always play? When Christian Pulisic comes in, what will happen to Alphadjo Cisse? Can Matteo Gabbia defend with so much space behind him?
These are unanswered questions, which Amorim will have to answer month after month by managing the rotations. It won’t be easy to please everyone, and with the new ‘bomb squad’ he has proven to be a man of clear decisions, without half measures.
A prediction: he will rotate a lot and use players in multiple positions. The ‘fixed’ players will be Gila, Rabiot, Ramos and perhaps Pavlovic.
Leadership
Teams are complex organisms, and it’s not easy to distribute leadership. Sometimes there are too many players with leadership qualities, sometimes too few.
None of the players who left Milan were leaders. Gila, who essentially replaced Fikayo Tomori (who is now back in the fold), has character and, as such, deserves chance to prove that he can step up.
The key players in the dressing room remain Maignan and Rabiot, with Modric serving as a silent guide and Gabbia representing the Milan spirit. Each, in their own way, is coming off a troubled summer. Will they be able to lead the team for nine months?
