Ruben Amorim says that it was a ‘good evening’ for Milan after a 4-0 victory away against RB Salzburg in the Europa League, but insists that the team and several individuals, including Francesco Camarda and hat-trick scorer Alphadjo Cisse, still have plenty of room for improvement: ‘We’ve played better in other games, but today we managed to score goals’.
Cisse became the youngest ever Italian to score a hat-trick in a major European competition to send Milan 3-0 up in Austria on Thursday night, with Goncalo Ramos coming off the bench to add a fourth before full-time. This was Milan’s first Europa League victory of the season following a 2-0 defeat at home against Benfica prior to the international break.
Amorim speaks after RB Salzburg 0-4 Milan: ‘We’ve had more control in other games’
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia after full-time, Amorim insisted that his team have played ‘better’ in some of their previous matches this season, but the difference today was their clinical nature in front of goal.
“We’ve had more control in other games, but today we managed to score goals. We’ve played better in other games, but we focus too much on the result. There are things to improve, but it was a nice evening,” said Amorim (via TMW).
Amorim was also quizzed on 19-year-old hat-trick hero Cisse. The Portuguese tactician believes that he still has plenty of work to do to reach the very top of the game, but is still delighted with his performances after netting five goals in seven matches at the beginning of his Rossoneri career.
“He doesn’t owe anything to me, he deserves the chances he’s getting because of what he’s doing on his own,” said Amorim. “He knows how to be explosive. He has a lot of heart, but he can do better in training and in games as well. All the congratulations go to him tonight, but he has a lot of potential and things to improve.”
Amorim was asked why it took so long for ‘this’ sort of a Milan performance, but he believes that Thursday’s game was not the perfect performance.
“I don’t agree. We’ve played better as a team in other games. If they had been more accurate, there were five situations where they could have hurt us.”
There were opportunities for several players who have not been given too many chances in Serie A this season, including the likes of Omari Hutchinson, Ardon Jashari and Davide Bartesaghi.
“They are part of the squad,” said Amorim. “It’s impossible to always play with the same players. It’s important to rotate. There are some risks with that, but I try to do what’s best for the team. Tonight went well, now we focus on Atalanta.
“The most important thing for the team is that everyone is aware that they can play and that they can lose their place. That’s why I need 22 competitive players all year round. Games like these help them believe in themselves more. I’m thinking about the young players, but also Loftus-Cheek, who showed much more aggression today.”
There was also an opportunity in the Milan attack for teenage sensation Francesco Camarda. But, compared to the 19-year-old Cisse, Camarda didn’t seem to be able to get into the game quite as much.
“He needs to improve in terms of his explosiveness and pace,” Amorim advised. “That’s what he’s lacking, he already knows how to do a lot of things inside the area. We’re working on it. He knows that there will be a chance for him to play a full 90 minutes.”