Ruben Amorim admits his first Derby della Madonnina was beyond expectations, but warns Milan fans that beating Inter is ‘an amazing night, we’ll also have bad moments.’
The coach was under pressure after the midweek 4-2 home defeat to Bologna, but he will emerge from his first ever Derby della Madonnina thoroughly revitalised.
Diego Moreira was decisive with a goal from a free kick and two assists for Christian Pulisic and Adrien Rabiot, which had put them into a 2-0 lead within 10 minutes.
Alessandro Bastoni nodded in a Hakan Calhanoglu corner and Inter pinned them back for the final half-hour, but rarely threatened Mike Maignan.
Amorim hopes Milan fans gain confidence
“I was happy with a lot of things, we started really well, they are very strong in the air, but we changed the way we addressed the game, I think compared to other games, we are improving,” Amorim told DAZN Italia.
“In the second half, we maintained the ball, we were really good on that, Luka Modric helped a lot on that. It was not an amazing game, but it’s an amazing night for our fans and it was important for us to win this after Wednesday so we can move forward.”
Cristian Chivu pulled a real surprise with his starting XI, moving to a 3-4-2-1 formation with Petar Sucic and Andy Diouf supporting lone striker Marcus Thuram.
Amorim was without Mario Gila, Diego Moreira and Rabiot against Bologna on Wednesday and they returned with a bang.
“It was a completely different game and approach. I felt the team was angry with the last result, but we need to be really honest, Gila, Moreira and Rabiot made a big difference in the game, not just for their quality, but their characteristics in the way we train.
“I am here and thinking about Bologna, what we and I should’ve done. It’s an amazing night for the fans, but we have to focus on the next one.”
This was Amorim’s first ever Derby della Madonnina, so how did it feel seeing San Siro lit up for its biggest night?
“The environment is amazing, the passion, it’s completely different to any derby I experienced. I am really happy for the players, the fans gain a little more confidence in the project,” said the former Manchester United coach.
“We are going to have amazing nights like this, and we are going to have bad moments like against Bologna. That is part of the process. It’s good to win these games to explain to the fans that this is a process and it’s going to take time.
“It is impossible to change everything in one day. I can say I’m really happy, really proud of my players, but I am already thinking about the next one.”
Patron Gerry Cardinale was in the stands and has been clear that he wants Milan to win the Scudetto, citing his favourite movie Top Gun.
“We are going to be a very good team, but it’s going to take time. The goal is always like Mr Cardinale said to win the Scudetto, but we have to be really honest, it’s going to be very hard to win the Scudetto in the first year,” replied Amorim.
“We are going to fight in every game and our goal at Milanello is returning to win the Scudetto. Top Gun is a great movie, in the first one, the wingman died, so I will try to focus more on the second one…”
