Amorim says Milan need more control for Modric, better service for Ramos, after as Moreira inspires fightback 2-2 draw at Lazio | OneFootball

Amorim's side remain unbeaten after comeback draw [Getty Images]

Lazio 2-2 AC Milan

Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan are still undefeated in the new Serie A season, after former Portugal youth international Diego Moreira came off the bench to score twice and salvage a draw at in-form Lazio on Saturday evening.

Milan had their first dropped points of the campaign last weekend in a 1-1 draw away to Juventus, after which the Rossoneri faced another tough trip to the capital. Gennaro Gattuso’s Lazio, who had Nuno Tavares in their line-up, won all three of their opening matches and the hosts’ confidence was evident when they took a 2-0 half-time lead through Matteo Cancellieri and Tijani Noslin.

Amorim’s side were dismal in the first half, leading to a triple change at the interval, including the withdrawal of veteran midfielder Luka Modric. Among the substitutes introduced by Amorim was Diego Moreira, who represented Portugal across six different age groups before switching to Belgium – the country of his birth – at senior level last year.

Moreira, who cost €50m from Strasbourg in the summer, struck twice in the space of two minutes (65’ and 67’) with his left foot to announce himself in new surroundings. Milan performed significantly better in the second period, but Amorim admitted the first-half showing was a disappointment.

“The energy in the first half was honestly not there, we lost so many possessions without any pressure, simple passes,” Amorim said after the match. “They went past our defenders too easily, but the second half was the opposite.

We had energy, we controlled the game, it was a completely different team and a completely different game. We managed to secure one point, but if you look at the game, we need to do better. You cannot play just one half.

“Modric subbed? We need to be really good with the ball in order to feel comfortable in the game. If we it changes hands all the time during it, then it’s not the game for Luka.

“We changed the way we present ourselves in the second half with Musah, because we understood we needed a little more pace in the middle. Also, Luka was really near the centre-backs, then it was four players to start one play, less space between the lines.

“We can play with Luka, we proved that in the previous matches, but we have to control the game and have possession. If we transform the game into runs, he has no chance in the game.”

Ramos quiet 

Milan’s record signing Gonçalo Ramos was a relatively innocuous figure on the night ahead of being replaced during the closing stages, which prompted questions from journalists towards Amorim. Ramos cost an initial €74m fee from Paris Saint-Germain, since when he has scored a somewhat underwhelming one goal across four outings in Italy.

“We need to spend more time near the box,” Amorim said. “We spend a lot of time with the ball, but far from the box, so we need to create more connections inside the box.

“You can put a lot of crosses in, but we need more variations, sometimes with corner runs from Pulisic and Alpha, but also Ramos is going to improve during the season.”

Next up for Milan is the visit of Benfica to San Siro in the Europa League on Wednesday, after which the final game before the international break sees Amorim’s side host Lecce on Sunday.