Amorim’s Milan Triumph: A Dream Derby Come True

For Ruben Amorim, the Milan derby has been a lifelong dream come true. Growing up in Lisbon, the young footballer was torn between two passions: his local club, Benfica, and the iconic AC Milan, whose legendary players he idolized. "I remember watching tapes of that Milan team with Maldini, Baresi, Gullit, Rijkaard, and Savicevic," he reminisced in a 2017 interview. "My childhood dreams were to play for Benfica and Milan. I’ve ticked one off. Now it’s time to coach the other!" After nine long years, Amorim took the reins at Milan last June, inheriting a squad that had underperformed and missed out on the Champions League for two consecutive seasons. Star player Rafael Leão’s future was uncertain, with whispers of a potential exit. Yet, from the beginning, Amorim has exuded confidence. Perhaps it was the relief of departing a troubled stint at Manchester United, or maybe the hefty €160 million backing from Milan’s owners that fueled his optimism. "Milan has always been one of my clubs since I was a boy," he shared. "Back then, they were Italy's strongest team, and Serie A was the best league in the world." While Serie A may have lost its luster in recent years, it seems to be experiencing a renaissance. Gone are the days of defensive stalemates; this season, the league is witnessing an exhilarating average of 3.18 goals per game, defying its past reputation. Amorim’s Milan contributed to this trend, though they faced a setback with a wild 4-2 defeat against Bologna, where they initially took the lead before faltering. With Inter Milan boasting a near-flawless start to the season, the stakes were high for the derby. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Amorim approached the match with strategic foresight. He tactically rotated his squad, resting key players like Luka Modric and Christian Pulisic in the previous match to ensure they were fresh for this crucial encounter. When the derby kicked off, Milan came out firing. Pulisic opened the scoring with a powerful header just four minutes in, followed quickly by an exquisite flick from Rabiot that doubled their advantage. Inter's defense was caught off-guard, but Milan’s execution was clinical. Despite Inter’s struggles to adapt without their star striker Lautaro Martínez, they managed to pull one back through Alessandro Bastoni. But Milan wasn’t done; Moreira, who had been a standout all match, scored from a free-kick, sealing a resounding 3-1 victory for the Rossoneri. This derby win not only marked a significant moment in Amorim's career but also sent a clear message to Serie A: Milan is back and ready to contend.