Amorim proud of AC Milan after 2-0 win at Udinese as Bartesaghi role explained

Milan bounce back in Udine

Ruben Amorim said he feels "really happy and proud" after AC Milan secured a 2-0 Serie A victory away to Udinese, a result that eased the pressure following a difficult stretch that included Thursday's 3-0 Europa League defeat at Bournemouth, when Milan were down to 10 men for over an hour.

The Rossoneri made a strong start in Udine. Luka Modric took a free kick quickly for Christian Pulisic, who sprang the offside trap to open the scoring. Omari Hutchinson then netted his first goal for the club, on the rebound from an Ardon Jashari strike. Goncalo Ramos also saw an effort palmed onto the crossbar by Maduka Okoye, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek limped off with an injury in the final minutes.

Amorim on competitiveness and squad depth

Speaking to DAZN Italia, Amorim said: "I am really happy for them and really proud, because everything we talked about before the game, being competitive from the first minute, I think we did that today. Even when we got tired in the second half, we controlled the game, so I am really happy with the team. Now we have to think about the next game."

Milan were heavily reshuffled because of a long absentee list that included Adrien Rabiot, Diego Moreira, Mario Gila, Samuel Chukwueze, Matteo Gabbia, Alexis Saelemaekers and Pietro Terracciano. Sankhoun Diawara and Fikayo Tomori made their first Serie A starts of the season, while Davide Bartesaghi was deployed in a more advanced role.

Amorim highlighted the challenge of the European schedule: "If you see the schedule in Europe, it's impossible, because every game there's a new muscular injury. Everyone needs to be prepared. My job is not just to prepare to win the next game, that is what people want, but my job is also to help Milan in the future."

Bartesaghi's development

Amorim was complimentary about Bartesaghi, but was also clear about what he needs to improve. "Bartesaghi did really well today, I think he is better offensively than defensively, he is an Italian boy, and if you see Bartesaghi I think he needs to improve his defensive side, be more aggressive in one against one."

"He crosses really well, his finishing has quality in training, he needs to get in the box more often. I think my problems with Bartesaghi are more defensively than offensively."

Milan remain unbeaten in Serie A

Although Milan have dropped more points than they would like this season, they remain unbeaten in Serie A and are level with Roma on 18 points in joint third place. Amorim admitted there is still plenty of work to do: "We need time to work on several things, but we don't have time sometimes even to address the problems we had in the last game. We are learning in the games, with videos, in team meetings, because for three weeks we have barely had any training."

With a midweek clash against Bologna next, Amorim was asked about the Ballon d'Or, which is being awarded the following day. His answer was typically focused: "If it's not a Milan player, I don't care! I just worry about who survives to play in two days."