Amorim: ‘Milan don’t want to win, we need to win’ starting from Torino | OneFootball

Ruben Amorim insists Milan must feel the pressure against Torino, because ‘it’s not that we want to win, we need to win,’ while updating on Rafael Leao, Diego Moreira and Samuel Chukwueze roles.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

It is a clash with former Milan defender Ignazio Abate, who is getting his first Serie A coaching role after coming close to promotion with Juve Stabia in Serie B last season.

Amorim warning for Milan

Ruben Amorim smiles at his first Milan press conference (acmilan.com)

“I know that Abate is a former player, and had a lot of important games in our club. He knows at AC Milan we need to win every game, but we need to think about what we want to do,” said Amorim in his press conference.

“It’s not that we want to win, we need to win. It’s important for our project to start well. It’s going to be completely different from Manchester United, it is really tough to play against Italian teams, I am just starting out.

“We are going to be ready, I think it’s going to be a fun game to watch, Abate wants to play a certain type of football.”

This will be the competitive debut for the former Manchester United coach, who has had some very mixed results in pre-season.

“The pressure is always the same, even when we play a friendly game, I was always nervous, because as a manager you are judged in every game. I am excited, I’m happy to be here, I trust my players and feel that they are ready.

“When you see a group of players becoming a team, the manager feels confident. The anxiety is there, but I feel confident because my players are working really well.”

Ruben Amorim prior to a pre-season firiendly between Celtic and Milan at Celtic Park (via www.acmilan.com)

There have not been that many new signings over the summer for a side that failed to qualify for the Champions League under Max Allegri, so how long will it take for this to become Amorim’s Milan?

“More than to see Amorim’s team or Allegri’s team, the important thing is to be the Milan team, where everyone is worried about doing things for the teams, not for themselves. We need to think just about the team.

“We are the team that likes to have the ball, that is going to be appreciable, and we’re trying to do that. We’ll try to put more crosses into the box. I want to defend well, like Allegri’s side did last season, but of course we are going to try to play in a different way.

“Some players are going to be in a different position. It is impossible to be the final product now, but there are going to be some things that are different and others that won’t show up in the first game.”

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JULY 25: AC Milan Manager Ruben Amorim during the Celtic v AC Milan match in a pre-season friendly at Celtic Park on July 25, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

The main reason Milan failed to qualify for the Champions League last term was their record against the so-called ‘smaller’ teams, whereas they beat Scudetto winners Inter twice.

“Last year, I got the feeling against Inter and big teams, our side was stronger and prepared, but against the smaller teams, the focus and concentration dropped a lot,” warned Amorim.

“So Torino tomorrow is the best team in the world. That is the mentality we need to have in our club. Especially the games people expect us to win, we need to turn up and prove it.”

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 05: AC Milan head coach Ruben Amorim looks on during the pre-season match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Optus Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images)

Who does Amorim see as his biggest challengers in Serie A this season?

“You can study the League, see Inter have a history and style of playing that comes from Inzaghi, so it has been going for a long time. The speed and freedom of Como, who don’t have the responsibility, and that is a big difference with us. It can weigh heavily on the players.

“Roma with Gasperini, Atalanta with Sarri, there are many teams, but then Milan lost the Champions League place losing to Cagliari at home. For me, everything is hard, but we have to build a mentality. It doesn’t matter who the other team is, we play to win.”

Having finished fifth last season, what are the Milan ambitions for this term?

“The goal of Milan is always to win the Scudetto. I don’t know how long it’s going to take, but the fans expect us to fight for that. We’ll take it Sunday by Sunday and try to win our games.

“There is a distance with Inter, and it’s important to be really honest with our fans, to explain the reality to our fans. We have a lot to do, we can beat any team in our league, so the goal is to win this game and then think about the next one,” continued Amorim.

The transfer window is still open and Rafael Leao remains on the market, but unlike Christopher Nkunku, Youssouf Fofana and Fikayo Tomori, he still has a shirt number.

“Rafa is not important right now. What’s important is tomorrow’s match. He is injured, but he is our player. The rest of the guys are ready to go to the game, we’ll see what is going to happen.

“I do not have any news on player leaving at this moment. He won’t be able to help tomorrow, but we’ll see in the future.”

Has Amorim heard about any further new arrivals to bolster his squad?

“That is not the most important thing. I feel that the players we brought to the squad have a lot of quality, they are expensive, but have a lot of quality, and the right age to grow, which is important at the start of a project.

“The most important thing is to become a real team, a real family. A team can hide a lot of things, so now we need to get the players with the characteristics to be with us, not just now, but in the future, and send the message to fans that we want to be great again.

“Sometimes people think if you put the best players in the world together, they will win, but it’s not true. It is the best team that wins. So we need to improve as a team, and the rest will be fine.”

Diego Moreira is the latest arrival for Milan and Amorim was asked where he intends to use the Belgium international, as well as which player impressed him the most.

“He’s a winger, he can play in other positions, but I see him more in that position. I love Cisse, I hope he doesn’t hear this or he’ll get a big head. Matteo Gabbia represents what Milan is. It’s the way you speak, the way you dress, the way he is.”

Samuel Chukwueze has been used as an attacking winger so far in pre-season, so is it similar to the way Amorim used Amad Diallo at Manchester United?

“It depends on the mentality of the player. Sometimes people look at one player because he’s really good offensively and think he can’t defend. Defending is about spirit and character too, and I think he has the character to do that. Of course, he’s not a typical defender, especially here in Italy.

“I realise here a winger is more of a full-back in Italy, but we want to play more with the ball than without the ball. We want to defend really well, but I believe we defend well with the ball. If we don’t have the ball, it doesn’t matter if we have 10 defenders, we’re going to have problems.”

RedBird patron Gerry Cardinale has visited the Milanello training ground several times by helicopter in recent weeks, having a far more hands-on approach to the past.

“It’s important for everyone to feel the responsibility of being at Milan. It’s not just my relationship with Mr Cardinale, but he speaks with the people in the kitchen, the Milan Lab, everyone here, not just players and coach,” explained Amorim.

“It’s important to feel that the owner is paying attention to every detail of the club, and he understands he needs to do that to be a strong club in the future. I will try to get this team playing very good football.”