How the Italian press reacted to Ruben Amorim’s three-game winless run at AC Milan

Ruben Amorim has faced heavy criticism from the Italian media following AC Milan’s midweek Europa League loss to his former club, Benfica.

After becoming AC Milan head coach in June, Ruben Amorim is already under pressure at the San Siro. He signed a two-year deal shortly after being dismissed at Manchester United, only to learn that intense pressure doesn’t exist only at Old Trafford, albeit to a lesser degree in Milan.

Milan got off to a perfect start by winning their first two against Torino and Venezia, scoring two goals against both opponents. Since then, Amorim’s side are on a winless run after losing their opening match in the Europa League 2-0 to Benfica.

This has led to widespread criticism and reports of internal meetings as Milan look to solve the issues preventing them from getting results.

Ruben Amorim feels the wrath of the Italian press

It cannot be denied that Michael Carrick finds himself in a sticky situation after United’s disappointing season. However, the problems raised by Italian media about Amorim are intriguing, to say the least.

Strangely, both coaches were dealt painful defeats on the same night, as United lost 3-2 to Brighton in the Carabao Cup third round.

Following inspection, many of the criticisms aimed at Amorim in Italy are similar to what he experienced in England. The Portuguese coach was erratic at times, especially when publicly slamming his employees following a draw against Leeds at Elland Road. That resulted in him losing his job at Old Trafford and a bitter end to a bumpy 14-month reign.

A report, brilliantly written by Marco Pasotto via Gazzetta, explains how parallels can already be drawn from Amorim’s unsuccessful tenure at United. He describes the mood at Milan as “unpleasant” just two months after his appointment.

Pasotto wrote: “So, we’re already at this point, and it feels like we’re reliving his experience in Manchester (where at one point he said, ‘Even the Pope can ask me, I’m not changing the system’), when all this happened a year and a half later, not a handful of weeks later.

“Perhaps he’s simply trying to exorcise the risk, an attempt to raise the bar in his conversation to shift attention from the team to himself, but hearing a newly appointed coach use the verb ‘fail’ with such ease is shocking. Especially since AC Milan is already on the verge of failure.”

There have since been reports cited by Record suggesting Gerry Cardinale, owner of Milan, will call Amorim to analyse and try to resolve the current issues. This will only add to the pressure Amorim is under, though Milan shouldn’t hold their breath if they’re expecting him to change anytime soon. The former United head coach remains hell-bent on his preferred system regardless of the players at his disposal.

Multiple Italian newspapers also got stuck on Amorim following his European debut as Milan coach. For starters, Tuttosport rated Amorim 4.5/10 on Wednesday night.

Corriere dello Sport gave Amorim the same rating, criticising his starting line-up and urging the 41-year-old to reconsider his choices. The publication’s match report issued a stern message, mind.

“Be careful, Ruben, because the edge is already slippery, and the fans’ whistles, at half time and at the end, signal that their patience is not limitless.

“The question is: how can you do it, how can you deliberately, immediately, and all at once, give up Rabiot, Modric, the Moreira of Rome, Pulisic, and Gila?

“They say Modric isn’t suited to Amorim’s elusive game. Probably, Amorim isn’t suited to the way Modric plays.”

The same could be said about Amorim’s treatment of Kobbie Mainoo, as the young midfielder kicked on and proved himself once Carrick returned to the club.

Amorim’s highest rating came from Calciomercato: 5/10. The article added: “Yet another completely incorrect lineup; this time the substitutions aren’t enough. The Portuguese coach ends up making a mess and thus suffers his first heavy defeat since taking over the Rossoneri.”

• ⚡️ KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Italian press notice similarities to Ruben Amorim’s failures at Manchester United
• AC Milan are winless in three matches after losing 2-0 against Benfica in the Europa League
• Amorim was heavily criticised for his line-up and decision to overlook key players

Antonio Conte spotted at San Siro as pressure mounts on Ruben Amorim

As ridiculous as it sounds, Conte was linked with the United job again this week – in the wake of United’s Carabao Cup loss to Brighton. The links came as Alfredo Pedulla claimed the Italian coach is keeping a keen eye on what happens at Old Trafford.

“He [Conte] follows the top leagues, he’s keeping an eye on Manchester United, and he’s following what’s happening at Juventus,” Pedulla said.

In a match report published by Calciomercato, the same publication that gave Amorim the highest rating, Antonio Conte’s presence at San Siro on Wednesday was noted.

“Too late for regrets, not for analysis. Merciless but true. Amorim has already occupied the field of disappointment and is now on the brink of bankruptcy.

“Antonio Conte was in the stands. They saw him. And it was him, accompanied by his ghost: the one who occupies the thoughts of AC Milan fans and beyond.”

There are suggestions in this report that sections of the Italian press would like to see Conte take charge of Milan, which would be deemed a controversial move, since he’s managed their local rivals Inter Milan, Juventus and Napoli in the past.

As a coach, working in Italy, Conte has won five Serie A titles, two Supercoppa Italiana, and one Serie B title. His success is enough to have Amorim looking over his shoulder following internal meetings.

Marco Barzaghi claims the Milan fans want Conte to replace Amorim, when speaking about the former Chelsea boss: “We’ll see Juventus tonight. Spalletti is under a lot of pressure. Also, yesterday at San Siro, Antonio Conte was there. And he doesn’t move around without purpose.

“Although some say he could be ready to return to the Juventus bench, especially on social media, they’re calling for it; the fans want it.”