Milan coach Ruben Amorim insists Aphadjo Cissé is ‘ready’ for his first Italy call-up and is not concerned about criticism following last week’s draw against Juventus: ‘I already experienced that at my former club. More than that, it’s impossible.’
Amorim talked to the press on Friday, on the eve of an away Serie A match at Lazio.
During his pre-match press conference, the Portuguese tactician said Christian Pulisic would get his first minutes in 2026-27, but also admitted the USMNT star is “upset” about his lack of playing time in the first three games of the campaign.
Milan have grabbed two wins and one draw so far, but the Rossoneri and their coach were criticised for their defensive playing style in their most recent match against Juventus.
“The last game wasn’t just static; I think we lacked energy. We controlled the ball quite well, especially in the first half, but then we lacked aggression in the final third and inside the box,” Amorim said.
“I showed the players that a lot of opportunities for Juve came from us losing the ball, sometimes even without pressure. Just a sloppy pass. Those details can change the game and the momentum. We worked on that, and we need to do better.
Gonçalo Ramos was also criticised for his performance in Turin.
“I think we need to improve as a team. Ramos did so well against Torino and Venezia that, in a game where he doesn’t have the same performance, you notice it,” Amorim said.
“It’s more about the understanding of the game from all the players in the team.”
“Criticism is normal. I already experienced that in my former club [Manchester United]. More than that, it’s impossible,” Amorim added.
“Then, what I promise is that the team is always in first place. Then I said my intention, and what they [Milan] asked me to do, was to be positive and score goals. Sometimes we want to score goals and be positive, but then there’s the opponent, and maybe Spalletti- your Spalletti is really good and they pushed us back. We had the ball more than Juventus. Sometimes even when I have the ball, the other guy is better than me, but that doesn’t change the intention you have.
“If you look at our team, we always have an intention; you can’t see anything that is random. Sometimes we want certain patterns that are hard for the players. I understand the pressure. I understand that when you see a guy coming from abroad to say how to play your football, it is really hard, and in the first moment you are just waiting to tell me that in my face.
“I understand, but what I can promise is that the team will always be in first place. I want to dominate games, but then Spalletti, Fabregas, all these guys, they are really good and will push us. What’s really important is to be good in the last set pieces of the game because if we win, some guys will have to keep that question in their pocket for one more week. The only thing I promise is the club will always be in first place. My intention is always to be better than the opponent in a certain way. I’ll try. But then you have the opponents; Spalletti was better than me, and that doesn’t change.”
Italy starlet Cissé has already netted two goals in the opening three Serie A games of the season, and according to various reports in Italy, he’ll be included in the Azzurri squad for the next international break later this month.
“If you put Cissé on the pitch, he’s going to play. Doesn’t matter if he’s with the national team, with Bastoni or with these guys,” Amorim said.
“He’s going to play, free. For that, he’s ready. But he needs time to grow up. I saw a bit of a difference when he plays away and when he plays at San Siro. San Siro is tough, so he needs to adjust to all these small things. Let’s give time to Cissé. If you put Cissé in training with the national team and playing with the national team, he won’t be shy, and he’s going to have the ball. So he’s ready, but he needs time to be the player he can be. He has a lot to learn.”
Como were the only Serie A club to win in the Champions League Round 1 and did so by dominating against RB Leipzig. Are Cesc Fabregas and his team a role model for Milan and their long-term project?
“I think we are different managers, with different backgrounds and work for different clubs,” Amorim replied.
“Mister Cardinale has never told me that [Como] is the inspiration, so you need to tell me, as I didn’t know. I have my way of playing; I think it will take time. Every manager needs time. You saw against Torino, the friendly against United, that we are improving. But if you want a team that plays like Como, you need to buy Como’s manager to play the same way.
“I’m completely different; I have my style of play, my identity. Coaching Milan is really hard; coaching Como and doing what they are doing in the Champions League is so hard, and they are doing so well, but I’m not focusing on how Como are playing; I focus on how Milan must play to win games.”
