Ruben Amorim explains why he believes Alphadjo Cisse is ideal for Milan’s Europa League clash with Bournemouth. ‘It will not be easy for their central defenders to deal with him.’
It kicks off at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).
The Rossoneri would seem to be finding their feet after a difficult start under coach Ruben Amorim, winning three of their last four competitive games, including a 4-1 Europa League result away to RB Salzburg.
They needed that after losing the opening match in this tournament 2-0 at home to Benfica and now face a difficult trip to Bournemouth, who finished sixth in the Premier League last season.
Amorim faith in Cisse and Milan
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA – OCTOBER 15: Ruben Amorim, Head Coach of AC Milan, is interviewed before the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between FC Salzburg and AC Milan at Stadion Salzburg on October 15, 2026 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Jasmin Walter/Getty Images)
“It is impossible to use the same starting XI in every game, we have four matches in 10 days, so rotation is a necessity,” Amorim told Sky Sport Italia.
“We cannot continue to play the same line-up, especially considering the injuries. At the same time, we have the responsibility to fight and win every single game, so tonight we must find the right balance to get the three points.”
Alphadjo Cisse returns to the starting XI after his hat-trick against RB Salzburg and has extra reason to celebrate, as today is his 20th birthday.
Goncalo Ramos has a calf issue that is not serious, but Samuel Chukwueze, Alexis Saelemaekers and Matteo Gabbia are now long-term absentees.
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA – OCTOBER 15: Alphadjo Cisse of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s third goal and his hat-trick goal with teammate Davide Bartesaghi during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between FC Salzburg and AC Milan at Stadion Salzburg on October 15, 2026 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Jasmin Walter/Getty Images)
“Cisse will play as a striker because he has the characteristics we are looking for in this specific game,” explained Amorim.
“It will not be easy for their central defenders to deal with him. He is a very young lad, he has enormous margins for improvement, and today is his 20th birthday. We have great faith in him.”
Considering the situation, why not start Francesco Camarda upfront instead?
“They have different characteristics. I analysed the structure and way of defending that Bournemouth have, and I believe Cisse has the right characteristics to trouble them.
“After all, he already took this role for the Italy Under-21 side, so for me he is the right choice for this specific game. That’s all.”
ITALY – SEPTEMBER 16: AC Milan coach Ruben Amorim looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between AC Milan and SL Benfica at Stadio San Siro on September 16, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Amorim has a famously poor record against Bournemouth, failing to win any of the three games he had against them as coach of Manchester United.
Bournemouth are missing injured Alex Scott and Eli Junior Kroupi, while Fraser Forster, Max Aarons, Julian Araujo, Juanlu Sanchez, Daniel Jevvison and Veljko Milosavljevic are not on their UEFA list.