Andrea Innocenti AC Milan kicked off their European campaign with a bitter 2-0 defeat to Benfica. The match was followed by a loud chorus of boos at the San Siro stadium, a tangible sign of the fans' discontent. Stefano Amorim, the new coach, concluded his remarks by describing his role as uncertain: " I don't know how long I'll have ."
The phrase, while seemingly a simple personal comment, reflects a growing tension between the bench and the fans, who now demand immediate results and a more attacking game.
Starting statistics: a sharp decline compared to a year ago
The first five matchdays of Serie A show a clear decline. Last year, under Allegri, the team scored nine goals, conceded only two, and collected 12 points out of 15 available.
This year, however, AC Milan have earned 8 points, with 7 goals scored and 6 conceded. The most worrying statistic is that AC Milan haven't found the back of the net in either of the first halves, highlighting their problems with both build-up play and finishing.
The market: unfulfilled promises and a partly unsuitable team
Amorim had expressed enthusiasm for the "ten-man transfer window" over the summer, but a few days after the defeat, he admitted that some of the squad isn't fully compatible with his playing philosophy. Gonçalo Ramos, purchased for over €70 million, barely touched the ball a dozen times and wasn't involved in any decisive moves. Other names like Estupinan and Loftus-Cheek have had little impact, while more experienced players like Modric and Rabiot have yet to show the required form.
Amorim's words: between fatalism and transparency
The Portuguese coach stated that he was prepared to "fail big time" if that were to happen, a statement that echoes his comments from a year and a half ago in Manchester. The same statement was accompanied by a note of hope: "The players listen to me a lot in training." This apparent contradiction between defending his plan and recognizing his limitations highlights a crisis management strategy aimed at focusing attention on himself rather than the entire team.
Immediate prospects: the next match against Lecce
The next match is against Lecce, a game that could reveal whether Milan can regain their composure before the winter break. A convincing victory in Salento would rekindle the fans' confidence and give the coach the chance to fine-tune the team without the pressure of the crowd. Conversely, another negative result could risk the jeers turning into outright boycotts, raising doubts about Amorim 's continued tenure at the helm.
AC Milan is going through a period of high expectations and scant rewards. The current squad , though expensive, has yet to demonstrate the ability to adapt to Amorim's playing model. The coach's statements, full of honesty but also fatalism, suggest that the future could hinge on a single key performance against Lecce. The coming weeks will be crucial to understanding whether the coach can convert criticism into results or whether the club will have to consider another change of direction.