AC Milan in Search of an Identity: The Amorim Question
The defeat against Benfica in the Europa League has brought renewed scrutiny not only on the team’s performances but also — and perhaps most importantly — on Ruben Amorim’s communication style and decision-making. This is not just about results: it is about method, consistency and vision. And it is precisely on these fronts that questions are multiplying around the San Siro.
AC Milan at this moment appears to be a team lacking a clear identity: neither attack-minded nor defensively solid. Every formation change seems to alter the team’s balance, as if there is no guiding thread capable of holding the group together regardless of who takes to the pitch. A serious issue that demands honest reflection.
«If I Have to Fail, I Want to Fail Big»: A Statement That Raises Eyebrows
Among the remarks made by Amorim in the build-up and aftermath of the Benfica match, one stood out in particular: «If I have to fail, I want to fail big». On the surface, it reads as a declaration of ideological courage — the willingness to stay true to one’s convictions even when things get tough. An attitude that, in the abstract, commands a certain respect.
And yet, in the same post-match interview, Amorim opened the door to modifying his ideas, adapting to the reality of the squad at his disposal. A clear contradiction: on one hand, «I want to fail with my ideas»; on the other, a readiness to change course. These are two stances that are difficult to reconcile, and the Rossoneri faithful — rightly — have taken notice.
«I Think You Are Partly Right»: The Squad and the Question of Responsibility
The most sensitive point concerns squad construction. When a journalist pointed out that Milan did not seem to have the right players for his system, Amorim replied: «I think you are partly right». An admission that opens up a complex line of questioning.
The reason is straightforward: it was Amorim himself, alongside the club’s leadership, who actively shaped the squad during this transfer window. He influenced signings, had a say in departures, and decided — by his own admission — who would remain part of the project and who would not. How, then, can one argue that the squad is unsuitable, having been a key architect of its construction? It is a fair question that deserves an honest answer.
The Portuguese manager also added that you cannot change everything in a single transfer window, and on this point he is not wrong: it is a constraint that applies to every coach, from Allegri to Fonseca and beyond. But precisely for this reason, it cannot serve as an exclusive justification for Amorim alone. Patience is valuable, but it must be accompanied by tangible signs of progress.
A Long List of Problems: Energy, Organisation, Quality and Game Intelligence
In his various statements, Amorim outlined a lengthy list of shortcomings he has identified in the squad: lack of energy, poor organisation, insufficient passing quality, and a failure to read key moments in matches. These are all real issues, without question. But the manager is the primary figure responsible for finding solutions: the daily work at Milanello exists precisely for this purpose.
The hope — and the belief — is that the coming weeks will bring concrete answers on the pitch. Milan has quality, talented players and a technical project that, once refined, can bear fruit. What is needed, however, is consistency, and above all, a commitment to letting actions follow words.
Paolo Di Canio’s Perspective: Hutchinson, Modric and Amorim’s System
An insightful contribution comes from Paolo Di Canio, a former footballer who played for Milan and who has closely followed Amorim’s work in the Premier League during his time at Manchester United. Di Canio draws a clear parallel between Amorim’s approach at Old Trafford and at San Siro: the same style, the same desire to build a cohesive unit playing dynamic football, the same bold decisions to sideline players deemed incompatible with his project.
Di Canio focuses particularly on Chukwueze Hutchinson, describing him as a player of enormous intensity — a «force of nature» who can make a real impact when deployed wide, but who still needs to prove his consistency over time. A balanced assessment of a young talent in whom Milan has invested with genuine conviction.
The most significant observation, however, concerns Luka Modric. According to Di Canio, when the aim is to press high, play vertically and dominate the opposition’s half, the Croatian legend — now 41 — may struggle to sustain those demands physically. And yet, the on-pitch evidence tells a different story: in matches where Modric has not featured, Milan have lost. Coincidence? Perhaps. But it is a pattern that Amorim himself appears to have acknowledged, stating that he intends to manage the Croatian maestro — not exclude him.
Modric: The Value of Experience in Difficult Times
Modric represents far more than a technically gifted midfielder: he is a reference point in the dressing room, a player capable of retaining possession, orchestrating play and managing difficult passages with the wisdom of someone who has won everything the game has to offer. His presence brings balance; his ability to slow down or accelerate the tempo as the situation demands is a luxury that very few clubs can call upon.
Amorim himself, in his post-match comments after the Benfica defeat, highlighted that Milan lack quality in possession. It is hard not to draw a connection between that deficiency and Modric’s absence from the starting eleven. He cannot play every three days at 41 — that much is clear — but his usage must be thoughtful and purposeful, not an afterthought.
Milan vs Lecce: A Match Milan Cannot Afford to Drop
Before the international break, Milan face Lecce in Serie A. On paper, it looks like a manageable fixture — but it carries real hidden dangers. Following back-to-back draws against Juventus and Lazio, anything other than a win would carry significant weight in terms of the atmosphere around the club and the team’s psychological stability.
Against Lecce, Amorim has the opportunity to send positive signals, to answer the questions of recent weeks with performances rather than words. Milan has the quality to return to winning, and the fans are ready to back the team with the same passion they always have. Belief in the project remains intact: now it is up to the pitch to deliver the answers.
