“Simply unacceptable.” These were the words Ruben Amorim used to describe his team’s performance following AC Milan’s defeat to Ferencvaros, a result that significantly complicates the club’s standing in European competition. As reported by Gazzetta.it, the manager brought this blunt assessment directly into the locker room at San Siro, where he demanded immediate accountability from his squad.
Amorim’s locker room confrontation
Beyond the public critique, the Portuguese manager sought direct answers from his players regarding a performance that stood in stark contrast to their recent derby success. Amorim addressed several members of the squad individually, including captain Adrien Rabiot, Yunus Musah, and younger talents like Alphadjo Cisse and Ardon Jashari. The manager expressed frustration with the collective approach, noting that the team appeared unprepared for the intensity of the match from the opening whistle.
The first half proved particularly troubling, with Milan failing to register a single shot on target while struggling to contain the Hungarian side’s persistent pressing. Amorim explicitly questioned why the energy levels dropped so significantly following their recent high-profile victory, emphasizing that the standards of the club were not met.
The decision to substitute Cisse
The tactical frustration was highlighted by the halftime substitution of Alphadjo Cisse. Despite Cisse’s recent breakthrough and his first call-up to the national team, his performance against Ferencvaros did not align with the manager’s expectations. Amorim had previously cautioned the 20-year-old against complacency after his strong start to the season, and the decision to replace him after 45 minutes served as a visible consequence of his lackluster showing.
"They were better technically, tactically, and especially mentally… We were not prepared to play professional football today." An open Ruben Amorim reflects on Milan's 2-0 home defeat vs. Ferencváros 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/OMNpjnzXk8
However, the manager rejected the notion that the poor result stemmed solely from squad rotation. “The turnover has nothing to do with it,” Amorim stated during his post-match conference.
Accountability and the road to Genoa
Amorim accepted his own share of the blame during the post-match discussions, admitting, “Maybe I did something wrong in the last few days.” This admission of personal responsibility highlighted the collective nature of the failure. He stressed that wearing the Milan jersey carries a responsibility that his players failed to uphold on the pitch.
The focus has now shifted to the upcoming Serie A fixture in Genoa, the final match before the international break. While the specific details of the locker room confrontation remained internal, the manager’s public comments made it clear that he expects an immediate response at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Despite the current struggles in Europe, Amorim affirmed his commitment to the competition, stating, “We are not ready to play every three days, but I will certainly not give up in the Europa League. As long as it isn’t over, we will fight.”
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🚨 📰 Ruben #Amorim reportedly delivered a fierce dressing-room dressing-down following AC Milan's defeat to Ferencváros, questioning his players’ attitude and lack of intensity. 🗣️ "If you wear the #Milan shirt, you have a responsibility. You cannot go onto the pitch like…”
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