Ruben Amorim Wins On Serie A Debut But Milan Still Have Work To Do
AC Milan beat Torino 2-1, but Ruben Amorim says the victory must lead to more attacking aggression, sharper pressing and better game control.
Ginevra Cattaneo
Updated on 24 August 2026
AC Milan beat Torino 2-1 away at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino in Ruben Amorim’s first competitive match in charge, with the win doubling as Milan’s opening fixture of the 2026-27 Serie A season.
Substitute Adrien Rabiot assisted Alphadjo Cisse’s first Serie A goal before scoring Milan’s second himself. Amorim said his side still have considerable work to do despite taking the three points.
Torino, playing their own first game under new head coach Ignazio Abate, pushed back late but couldn’t find an equaliser.
How Milan’s Substitutions Found The Breakthrough
The match remained tense until Milan’s changes helped alter its direction.
Amorim brought on Luka Modric for Loftus-Cheek and introduced Rabiot in place of Ardon Jashari, shifting the Frenchman into a more advanced role.
That adjustment had an immediate effect. Rabiot’s cross was met by Cisse for his first Serie A goal, marking the 19-year-old’s full debut strike for the club after his move from Catanzaro.
Two minutes later, Rabiot doubled Milan’s lead himself, finishing off a cross from Samuel Chukwueze.
Torino responded through an acrobatic Che Adams volley in stoppage time, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Milan leaving with all three points.
Amorim’s Post-Match Reaction On Milan’s Performance
Speaking to DAZN Italia, Amorim praised Cisse’s quality, saying the 19-year-old had carried the game forward in the first half with the composure of one of Milan’s most experienced players.
However, Amorim was clear that Milan had lacked the required attacking aggression before the interval.
He said the players had been too focused on controlling the game and avoiding defeat, rather than being decisive in the final third.
The coach addressed that concern at half-time, and said the team understood that such an approach isn’t enough to win matches.
Amorim also cited the team’s current physical condition.
He said Milan need more time and more work to press at the desired intensity over 90 minutes, noting that several players are still going through their pre-season preparation.
Winning, Amorim said, remains football’s central objective, but he stressed that victory alone can’t be enough for Milan.
He identified work in both penalty areas, as well as the ability to manage possession under pressure, as areas for improvement.
Rabiot’s New Role Behind The Striker
Rabiot’s influence came from a more advanced position behind the striker rather than the role he’d been accustomed to under previous coach Max Allegri.
The midfielder told Sky Sport Italia that he enjoys attacking the goal from that area and said he understood what Amorim expects from him.
After making his first appearance of the season, Rabiot said he was pleased to contribute a goal and an assist.
His impact offered Milan a decisive response at a point when the contest had remained evenly balanced.
What This Result Means For Amorim’s Milan Project
The victory follows a mixed pre-season and gives Milan an early result to build on, with Amorim starting his competitive Milan career with a win.
But the coach’s assessment underlined that the tactical work remains unfinished.
He said the side showed some of the ideas developed in training and pre-season, even while under pressure.
Rafael Leao was absent with a minor injury, while Diego Moreira was on the bench without making his Milan debut.
Amorim has options available as he continues to shape the team, but his focus after Torino was on improving Milan’s attacking and defensive work rather than simply celebrating the result.
Ginevra Cattaneo
Ginevra Cattaneo grew up in Bologna with a football shirt on her back and a match playing somewhere in the background at all times. From backyard arguments about whether Maldini or Baresi was the greatest ever to staying up late watching Champions League nights, the game has always been at the centre of her life. She brings that same passion and familiarity to everything she writes, covering Serie A, Italian football culture, and the rapidly growing world of women's football in Italy.
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