Amorim: Milan’s Freedom, Avoiding Manchester United’s Mistakes

Ruben Amorim acknowledged granting Milan greater freedom in their 3-0 victory against Lecce. He stated he couldn’t repeat the errors he made at Manchester United, where he became too rigid with systems.

Pressure mounted on Amorim after two consecutive Serie A draws against Juventus and Lazio, followed by a 2-0 Europa League home loss to Benfica. This led to tactical shifts, including building play from the back with four defenders instead of three, and positioning Mario Gila slightly wider.

A key change was Christian Pulisic’s first start, who quickly opened the scoring with his initial club goal of 2026. Adrien Rabiot and Diego Moreira added to the tally in the second half, securing a decisive 3-0 win over Lecce.

“I believe we significantly improved,” Amorim told DAZN Italia. “The players showed more freedom, better movement, especially with runs behind the defense. We’re not just a team that possesses the ball; we’re a dangerous side. There’s space to exploit, which is positive. We controlled the match, understood the opposition was waiting for our errors, but we defended well and earned the win.”

Amorim was informed that the last Milan coach to achieve 11 points in his first five Serie A games was Nils Liedholm in 1963. He smiled, calling it a good statistic but noting the difference in eras. “We still have much to do, but we are progressing and learning. We faced difficulties in recent matches due to a rigid positional structure. However, giving players a bit more freedom allowed them to play better.”

When asked about the decision to allow more freedom, and if players requested tactical changes, Amorim explained, “It’s an observation of the games and player characteristics. I always listen to the players, especially in a major team. Managers must observe and understand them, though each player naturally wants to push the game towards their strengths, which is challenging when aiming for a distinct identity.”

“The decision is always mine. What I sensed in recent games mirrors my experience at Manchester United, and I cannot make that same mistake. Sometimes, our characteristics aren't perfectly suited for a specific approach. If that's the case, we must adapt.

“I think today’s approach worked. In other matches, we might revert to building with three. The key is to have varied playing styles. This is particularly vital in Italy, where coaches are very astute and excel at man-marking. When they lose the reference point of our strategy, it becomes harder for them to decipher our mobility, just as they make it harder for me to understand their teams.”

Much discussion has surrounded Luka Modric's role, returning to the starting lineup after being substituted at halftime against Lazio and left on the bench against Benfica. “For him to perform at his best, we need significant possession. However, he is prepared to play in every game we require him. In certain matches, like the first half against Lazio, if the game focuses purely on transitions, it’s not ideal for Luka, nor for Ardon Jashari,” Amorim clarified. “We must consider our available characteristics. In games with low blocks, Modric can be very effective. We will assess future needs, but he is ready for any type of match.”

Milan enters the international break with 11 points from five rounds, trailing leaders Roma, Inter, and Lazio by two points. “Looking at our style of play, Roma and Inter have had more time as a cohesive unit, and their patterns are evident. We haven’t dropped excessive points; we lost two away to Lazio and Juventus, so not everything is negative.

“Sometimes it appears that way, especially after recent results, but we must consider the overall picture. Today, we secured a win against a strong, in-form team, but it’s a different setup, and we will encounter challenges. This is a process. I feel we should have more points. Against Juventus, we weren’t playing particularly well, yet we were 30 seconds away from securing three points.

“Even against Lazio, considering the game’s balance, I believe we deserved a little more.”

The team showed glimpses of the football the Portuguese tactician desires, but this performance was the first truly impressive one, marked by approximately 70 percent possession. It also marked Milan's first first-half goal of the season, indicating a more focused opening approach.