Milanello in Full Swing: Full Squad Available, No Injuries
The Rossoneri machine is running at full speed. This morning, at 11:30, AC Milan held their training session at Milanello ahead of their Europa League debut against Benfica, scheduled for tomorrow evening at San Siro. The best news for fans came straight away: the entire squad was present, with no injuries to report. A strong signal of physical wellbeing that fuels optimism on the eve of a match that could mark the beginning of an ambitious European campaign.
Near the changing room windows by the gym, Thiago Estevão and Bobby Gardin were also spotted, while Ruben Amorim‘s coaching staff was at work on the pitch. The goalkeepers trained on an adjacent field. The atmosphere captured in footage from the session was relaxed — smiles, moments of banter between teammates — a sign of a group working with the right focus and without unnecessary tension.
Amorim: «It’s Impossible to Win With Just 11 or 14 Players»
At the press conference, the Portuguese manager addressed one of the most debated topics of this early season: rotation management. With a packed schedule — matches every three days — Amorim clearly explained his philosophy: «We have too many games, we can’t always play the same eleven. Every manager has a general idea of their squad, but it’s impossible to win competitions relying only on 11 or 14 players».
He added: «The idea is not to have a fixed lineup, but a precise identity in which every player can play without the team losing too much quality. That’s why you will almost never see the same starting XI game after game — there will always be two or three changes given the volume of fixtures». A clear message about the intelligent management of the squad across a long and demanding season.
Amorim also responded to criticism over some of his starting lineup choices: «I’m not crazy enough to want to pick the worst possible lineup just to fix it later. I make choices, I can be wrong, but I always try to make the best decisions». Words that reflect the self-awareness of a manager capable of making in-game corrections — as already shown in recent matches — while fully accepting responsibility for his decisions.
The Modrić Question: An Asset, Not a Problem
One of the most talked-about topics in recent days concerns the role of Luka Modrić in Amorim’s system. After the draw against Lazio, the manager had highlighted that with the Croatian midfielder on the pitch, Milan can best express their possession-based game, but that in more physically intense or high-pressing moments, the 41-year-old struggles to keep up.
However, Amorim made one thing clear: Modrić is not a problem — he is an asset. «He is an experienced player, a former Ballon d’Or winner, who knows he cannot play every match or every minute, especially at 41. He understands that in some games he will play less or rest». The management of the Croatian legend will therefore be careful, making the most of his qualities in contexts that best suit his current physical condition.
No Minimum Goal: «We Want to Win the Europa League»
The most significant moment of Amorim’s press conference came when he addressed seasonal objectives. The Portuguese manager left no room for ambiguity: «At big clubs — and Milan is an enormous club — there is no minimum objective. Any result other than winning is considered a failure. In Portugal it’s the same: Benfica must win the Europa League, anything else is not enough».
A bold statement of intent, which aligns perfectly with those who look at the Europa League draw with realistic optimism: among the most credible contenders are Benfica, three English clubs, Bayer Leverkusen, and Milan themselves. The Champions League heavyweights — Real Madrid, Manchester City, PSG, Bayern Munich, Barcelona — are not in the competition, which makes it entirely within the Rossoneri’s reach. So why not dream big?
Amorim’s goal is straightforward: win the next match, then the one after, setting no limits. A mindset that — combined with a squad still full of untapped potential — could make Milan one of the true protagonists of this edition of the tournament. The debut against Benfica is the first step of that journey.
