Ruben Amorim management and tactical shifts at AC Milan

Following his appointment by owner Gerry Cardinale, AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim has implemented an ‘English-style’ management model. This structure grants Amorim increased responsibility for transfer decisions and daily operations, a departure from previous club models.

Amorim has addressed his transition to Serie A by reflecting on the scrutiny he faced at Manchester United, noting that his experience in England prepared him for the pressures of Italian football. While players like Yunus Musah have praised his tactical clarity, Amorim has called for patience as he executes his long-term vision. Former defender Alessandro Costacurta has supported this need for patience, comparing Amorim’s early tenure to that of Arrigo Sacchi, though he highlighted the need for better defensive consistency.

Recently, Amorim has considered a significant tactical shift, moving away from his signature 3-4-2-1 formation toward a four-man defense, likely a 4-2-3-1 setup. This transition was tested in matches against Lecce and in a closed-door friendly against Padova. Amorim noted the change is driven by the need to adapt to the specific characteristics of available squad members to provide more stability in possession and better space occupation. This shift could benefit players such as Christian Pulisic, who may occupy a more central role, and Samuel Chukwueze.

Addressing team form, Amorim emphasized that while Milan is working toward more stable dominance, significant work remains. He expressed concern regarding the high intensity and volume of upcoming matches and reiterated the importance of managing veteran Luka Modric’s playing time while creating more scoring opportunities for players like Gonçalo Ramos and Francesco Camarda.