Amorim's Milan faces growing pains as injuries mount and critics question his system
Ruben Amorim asked for time. The former Sporting CP coach, now leading Italy's AC Milan, admitted in a television interview on Friday that his team 'is still far from its potential' and 'needs continuity' — a plea that came amid a sobering week for the Portuguese manager.
A 2-0 home defeat to Benfica in the Europa League on 16 September continues to resonate in Italian football circles, and a friendly match behind closed doors last Friday against second-division side Padova ended in a 1-1 draw. AC Milan currently sit fifth in Serie A with 11 points, two points behind leaders Roma, Inter Milan, and Lazio.
'Comfort' in Alvalade missing in Milan
Ricardo Esgaio, who played under Amorim at Sporting CP and SC Braga, believes the transition from Lisbon to abroad has denied the coach elements that once made his work flow. 'At Sporting, he had a staff that gave him great comfort,' the 33-year-old defender told Portuguese news agency Lusa. 'When he went abroad, perhaps he didn't have that same comfort and had to decide everything.'
Esgaio, now at Gil Vicente, acknowledged Amorim's trademark remains visible: 'When we look at one of his teams, we recognise Ruben Amorim's identity.' Yet the Portugal international noted that even for a coach who enjoys control, the demands of running every aspect 'reaches a point where it gets complicated.'
Amorim arrived at Milan in June 2026, replacing Massimiliano Allegri after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League. His appointment followed a spell at Manchester United that research sources describe as 'turbulent and ultimately unsuccessful,' ending in January of the same year.
Saelemaekers injury compounds problems
The Belgian winger Alexis Saelemaekers has emerged as the latest fitness concern for Amorim's squad. Medical examinations revealed the player's right ankle lost stability at the site of a previous surgery from 2024, following an incident in training.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Saelemaekers will likely require another operation and may not return until 2027. The 26-year-old had started only two of Milan's five league matches under Amorim, a reduction from the 33 starts he made under Allegri the previous season.
The injury leaves Amorim with limited options on the wings as he attempts to impose his tactical philosophy.
Boban questions three-man defence
Zvonimir Boban, the former Croatia international who spent nine years at Milan and later served as the club's sporting director, has voiced what observers in Italy are quietly asking: whether Amorim's system suits the squad.
Speaking to Italian radio, Boban — who won the 1998 World Cup bronze with Croatia — described the 3-5-2 formation as 'a bit illogical,' noting it effectively becomes a five-man defence where wing players 'massacre each other' with the physical demands.
'Even though all games seem to bring years of discussion, we need to give him time,' Boban said. 'He has to convince all of us with results.'
The 57-year-old makes clear that seventh place is not the standard. 'I said that AC Milan should aim to win.'
Amorim's response: patience needed
The Portuguese coach used his interview with Sky Sport Italia to address the critics directly. 'We need time and continuity,' Amorim said. 'Many games remain ahead.'
He rejected the label 'Amorim's Milan,' insisting that a club with 19 Serie A titles transcends any individual manager. 'AC Milan is AC Milan, with a history and an identity that goes beyond a coach's name.'
Amorim also addressed Luka Modric, the 41-year-old midfielder who arrived this summer. 'He trains like a young player, with a will and enthusiasm that pleases everyone.'
Regarding Gonçalo Ramos, the Portugal international, Amorim praised his development and recent performances for the national team, particularly his goal against Denmark. 'He's growing, and his presence brings intensity,' said Amorim.
Calendar intensifies after international break
The coming weeks offer little respite. Milan face Sassuolo on their return to Serie A, then travel to Austria to meet Salzburg in the Europa League. A clash against Atalanta follows, before an English trip to face Bournemouth in European competition.
The month concludes with three league matches in eight days: at Udinese on 25 October, then home to Bologna and Inter Milan — the latter being the Derby della Madonnina that closes October.
Seven matches across October will test the squad. 'That's what worries me most,' Amorim admitted.
Identity intact but results awaited
Esgaio, who won the Primeira Liga with Sporting under Amorim, believes the coach's philosophy travels with him. 'You would recognise that team as his even without seeing him on the bench.'
Yet results dictate patience. After five Serie A rounds, Milan have three wins and two draws — a respectable start diminished by the Benfica loss and the Padova friendly. Amorim knows the verdict takes time, but in a city that demands immediate success, his claim that 'we are far from reaching our potential' will be measured against what happens next.
For Portugal followers, the story offers a familiar pattern: a coach who transformed Sporting — ending an 18-year title drought — now faces the harsher realities of managing abroad, where staff support and institutional patience can feel thinner.
