Milan coach Ruben Amorim has addressed the media ahead of the highly anticipated Derby della Madonnina against city rivals Inter this Saturday. The Rossoneri boss confirmed a significant boost for his squad, with Mario Gila, Adrien Rabiot, and Diego Moreira all declared ready to return to action.
Squad Boost and Derby Atmosphere
The return of Gila, Rabiot, and Moreira provides Amorim with more options as Milan prepare for one of the most crucial fixtures in their Serie A calendar. The trio had returned to group training earlier in the week, and their availability will be a welcome development for the team.
During his pre-match press conference, Amorim shared his perspective on the unique atmosphere surrounding the Milan derby. He drew comparisons to the football culture in Portugal rather than England, noting the similar “Latin element” characterised by a strong sense of responsibility for victory and intense fan enthusiasm. He described the rivalry as truly special, highlighting the bond between two great teams sharing a city and a stadium.
Recent Form and Club Objectives
Milan enters the derby following a recent setback, having lost their previous Serie A match against Bologna. Despite this, club owner Gerry Cardinale has publicly expressed his trust in Amorim, a sentiment the coach acknowledged and appreciated.
Amorim reiterated that winning the Scudetto remains Milan’s primary objective. However, he stressed the importance of a day-by-day approach to improvement. “You always have to talk about the Scudetto as the main objective when you’re at Milan,” Amorim stated, adding that the team needs to “fix things step by step.” He also highlighted the challenges posed by a lack of consistent training time since the last international break, suggesting that many “small things” are currently missing from the team’s performance.
The coach also reflected on his decision to join Milan, a club he described as being in a rebuilding phase, focused on developing young players. He acknowledged the pressure to secure victories to gain the necessary time to build a lasting project. When asked about Inter’s Chivu, Amorim dismissed any envy, affirming his contentment at Milan.
Looking Ahead
The Derby della Madonnina is always a pivotal moment in the Serie A season, and this encounter is no different. For Milan, it represents an opportunity to bounce back from their recent league defeat and reinforce their ambitions. Amorim emphasised the need for his players to give their all, regardless of fatigue, recognising the special nature of the match.