Milan 3-1 Inter: Amorim says Scudetto challenge will take time

Ruben Amorim admitted his first Derby della Madonnina was unlike anything he had expected after Milan beat Inter 3-1 in Serie A on Saturday, but warned supporters not to assume their difficult period is over.

The result provided a significant response to Milan’s 4-2 home defeat by Bologna just a few days earlier. Milan made a stunning start against Inter, scoring twice inside the opening 10 minutes to seize control of the match.

Diego Moreira was one of the outstanding players, scoring from a free-kick and supplying assists for Christian Pulisic and Adrien Rabiot. Inter reduced the deficit when Alessandro Bastoni headed in from a corner delivered by Hakan Calhanoglu.

Speaking to DAZN, Amorim said: “I was happy with many things. We started the match very well. They are extremely strong in aerial situations, but we changed the way we approached the game and I think we are improving compared with other matches.

“In the second half we kept the ball and were very good at that. Luka Modric helped us a lot. It was not an amazing game, but it was an amazing night for our supporters. It was important to win after what happened on Wednesday so that we could move forward.”

Amorim also highlighted the influence of players who had been absent against Bologna.

“It was a completely different match and a completely different approach,” he said. “I felt the team were angry about the previous result, but we have to be honest: Gila, Moreira and Rabiot made a huge difference, not only with their quality but also through their characteristics and the way we work in training.”

The Portuguese manager described the atmosphere at San Siro during his first derby as an exceptional experience.

“The atmosphere was amazing, and the passion is completely different from any derby I have experienced before,” he said. “I am very happy for the players, and the supporters have gained more confidence in the project.”

However, the former Manchester United manager said Milan must remain realistic despite the victory.

“We will have great nights like this, but we will also go through difficult moments like the Bologna match. That is part of the process,” he added.

“It is impossible to change everything in one day. I am very happy and proud of my players, but I am already thinking about the next match.”

Amorim was also asked about owner Gerry Cardinale’s ambition to challenge for the Serie A title, with restoring the Scudetto identified as Milan’s ultimate objective.

“We will become a very good team, but it will take time,” he said. “The objective, as Mr Cardinale has said, is always to win the Scudetto. But we have to be honest: winning the title in the first year will be very difficult.”

Amorim ended with a playful reference to Cardinale’s favourite film, Top Gun: “We will fight in every match, and our objective at Milanello is to return to winning the Scudetto. It is a great film, but in the first one the wingman died, so I will try to focus more on the second.”