AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim has issued a warning to his squad ahead of their Serie A encounter against Genoa, highlighting the opposition’s strengths in areas where Milan have recently faltered. Amorim’s comments come as the Rossoneri navigate a challenging period marked by inconsistent results and a significant injury crisis.
Tactical Concerns and Call for Competitiveness
Speaking before the match, Amorim emphasised the need for his team to be competitive, especially after their recent performances. “The atmosphere doesn’t matter. We need to respond to the last game, we just need to be competitive, that’s what I want to see today,” Amorim told DAZN Italia. He added, “We showed during the season we can play good football, but we need to be competitive.”
The Milan boss specifically pointed out Genoa’s tactical approach, which could pose problems for his side. “We know Genoa are really strong from the first minute, with pressure, with transition, so if you look at the last game, we had issues in those aspects. So we tried to use those mistakes to prepare for this one,” he explained.
Milan’s recent form has been a mixed bag, illustrating their Jekyll and Hyde nature. They suffered a 4-2 home defeat to Bologna, followed by a 3-1 Derby della Madonnina triumph against Inter, only to then lose 2-0 at San Siro to Ferencvaros in the Europa League. Following the European setback, Amorim had stated that his team was “not ready” to be competitive every three days, adding pressure to today’s fixture before the international break.
Injury Crisis and Defensive Adjustments
The Rossoneri continue to grapple with an extensive injury list, with several key players sidelined. Strahinja Pavlovic, Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia, Samuel Chukwueze, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Pietro Terracciano, and Alexis Saelemaekers are all unavailable for selection.
Despite the injury woes, there is some squad rotation with Mike Maignan returning to the starting XI after a suspension. Mario Gila, Luka Modric, Christian Pulisic, and Diego Moreira also made their way back into the line-up. However, the defensive challenges are evident, with Yunus Musah expected to feature as a makeshift left-back. Amorim addressed this tactical decision, stating, “Sometimes it’s the right foot, the characteristics of the player, the quality we want to have on the ball, so it’s a lot of things.”
As Milan prepares to face Genoa, the focus remains on overcoming their recent inconsistencies and demonstrating the competitiveness Amorim demands, particularly in light of their ongoing injury concerns and the tactical threats posed by their opponents.