AC Milan boss Ruben Amorim is not holding back, telling DAZN Italia that his team’s recent Europa League opponents, Bournemouth, “weren’t better than us, they were more competitive.” That’s a bold statement just days after Milan crashed to a 3-0 defeat, a result that has clearly shaken the Rossoneri right before their Serie A clash against Udinese today at the Bluenergy Stadium, kicking off at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).
That Bournemouth Loss And The Red Card That Broke Milan
Milan was absolutely rocked by that Europa League defeat against Bournemouth on October 22, 2026. The game barely got going before a catastrophic error from goalkeeper Mike Maignan ruined everything. Maignan was sent off for shoving Bournemouth player Tyler Adams as a corner came in, a “naïve error” that proved incredibly costly. Amorim didn’t sugarcoat it, saying, “The players are not boys, they are men. Maignan understood right away he cannot do that, we cannot put ourselves in that position.” Talk about a direct message to your star keeper!
On top of that red card mess, the injury list is growing longer than a grocery receipt. Adrien Rabiot, Mario Gila, and Diego Moreira all sustained injuries, adding to an already unavailable list including Samuel Chukwueze, Matteo Gabbia, Alexis Saelemaekers, and Pietro Terracciano. Amorim has been forced to completely reshuffle the Milan pack, with his options shrinking fast.
Amorim’s Tough Choices For Udinese Amidst Injury Chaos
With half the squad in the physio room, Amorim laid out the brutal truth about his choices for the Udinese game. “They cannot play, it’s just not possible. We need to manage the players, and there are players here today too where we need to manage their minutes,” he explained to DAZN Italia. He stressed that with the relentless schedule, “it’s impossible to use everyone at the same time.” His focus is clear: “Because we need to try to win every game, we need to balance everything, and they are not available for today.”
This crisis means big changes for the starting XI against Udinese. Fikayo Tomori and Sankhoun Diawara are getting their first Serie A starts of the season in a revamped defense, and there are whispers this could mean a 4-4-2 formation. Amorim noted Udinese plays with five at the back, so Milan is trying “a different way.” He’s picking players “available physically” and based on their characteristics. It might not be the lineup to finish, but for Amorim, it’s the “best starting XI for the game.”
Today’s match against Udinese isn’t just another game, it’s a statement. With a depleted squad and the stinging memory of the Bournemouth defeat still fresh, Amorim and Milan need to show they can bounce back. Every single player on that pitch today will be fighting not just for three points, but for the team’s pride and to put that Europa League disaster firmly behind them.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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