Ruben Amorim , AC Milan coach, spoke to SkySport and La Gazzetta dello Sport at the end of the 2-4 friendly win against Manchester United in Wroclaw.
Did the best performance of the summer come at the right time?
"Of course, but today's result doesn't matter, because what matters is winning on Sunday against Torino, which will be a completely different match than today's. We had more space to play today. So, it will be different, but obviously the team's feeling is completely different when you win than when you win by playing well. However, I think we have to worry about the way we're conceding goals. Because we're giving away goals, both against Celtic and today. But otherwise, I think we're improving, but it doesn't matter. Preseason doesn't matter, we have to win next season."
You beat your former team. Do you feel anything special after this victory?
"No. For me, it was a normal match. Since I signed with Milan, I haven't felt anything for Manchester United. I'm just proud to have been at Manchester United and I still love the club, but after signing with Milan, I don't feel anything negative about anything because I'm very happy, because I'm where I want to be. I just want to continue here. Of course, it was special to play against them again, but I wanted to win a game this preseason to present ourselves well in our league, to give our fans a good image, so they can support us in our first match."
In recent days, the decision to exclude some players from the project has made headlines...
All four of them did really well during the preseason, but we have to make some choices. We're changing, and I think it's important to really change right now because we're at the beginning of a project. We have some young players who will have space, and I have to create it for them. I still want to emphasize that they did really well during the preseason. However, as I told you when we got back from Jakarta, we have to prepare for the season. And with almost 40 players, it's impossible to prepare. So I feel sorry for the boys, but we have to do it. And there's another thing I want to say..."
Say...
Another thing I want to say is about Mike, Rabiot, and Modric's situation. Rabiot, Modric, and Maignann had more days off because they played more. That was important to me. Everyone complains about the number of games and the players being unable to cope with the strain, and I gave the players those extra days because I already knew they wouldn't be able to play today's match. So I gave them three more days. Nothing will change. And it's really important for me to say that it was my decision, not the players'. And they want to train. Tomorrow they'll be at Milanello preparing for the first match. They had a full schedule and followed the schedule, because we have proof that they did. So I want to make this really clear, because I think it's important.
Will Maignan already be able to play against Torino?
"It's a different position. He's been training all the time. If you look at the number of games he's played in recent seasons with Milan, he plays every game. He'll be ready for the first match because it's a different position. We'll evaluate Rabiot. Rabiot is a really important player for us. But, as we showed today, we have to be confident. We need to rest the players who need rest because it will be a very demanding season. We also have other players ready to play, but I think they'll be ready to contribute in the next match."
Will Leao recover for Torino?
"I don't know. I don't know. I don't think it's a big deal, but I don't know if he'll be ready."
And what about his future?
"I don't know, but Leao is one of our players. I've already said we're happy to have him; he's a truly valuable player. So we'll see, but he'll have to fight. I think Cisse, with the way he's played, will make things difficult. Saelemaekers has changed positions; it'll be tough. We also have Pulisic, who's coming back. So we have a lot of players who will be fighting for a spot."
Will he ask for new signings after this victory?
"Now we have a plan. And we'll do what we think is best for the club, not just for today, but also for the future. So we'll see what happens."
Cardinale was also close to you this week with his presence at Milanello.
"It's not just about me. We're really, really happy with the support we have from our owner, but it's not just about me. The people at Milanello, everyone in our house, when they see the owner always there, talking to everyone, it's something special. The people... and we, as I said, are a family. I think this year has changed a lot and you can see it. We had a great conversation and we're planning for the future, the present, the present of the club. But, again, it's not just about me: it's about everyone in our house, in Milan."
This is your first time in Poland. What are your impressions of Poland and the stadium?
"The atmosphere here is really nice. The people are really kind. I really like the stadium. It's a really nice atmosphere, wonderful people. We were really happy, but now we're going back to our home and we love it, we love our home."
