Ruben Amorim explained how his players were able to engineer a second-half revival in AC Milan’s 2-1 win over Torino.

Ruben Amorim believes AC Milan’s 2-1 victory over Torino showed the character his team will need as they adapt to his methods. 

Victory on opening day? Secured. 🔐

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The Rossoneri looked anxious and cautious for much of the opening period, but a second-half surge inspired by Adrien Rabiot and Luka Modric finally turned the game in their favour.

AC Milan had endured a mixed pre-season and looked short of their best again in Turin. Their biggest problem was not a lack of possession or effort, but an unwillingness to take risks in the final third. Amorim noticed that his players were more concerned about avoiding defeat than actively trying to win the match.

That was the message he delivered at half-time. The Portuguese coach told his players that controlling the game and protecting the scoreline would not be enough if they wanted to leave Turin with three points. Milan responded immediately, playing with greater aggression and speed after the restart.

“In the first half, the concern of my players was control the game, don’t lose the game, don’t lose it in transition, but we lacked aggression in the final third,” Amorim said. “We need to do that in order to win the game.”

The introduction of Rabiot and Modric proved decisive. Rabiot moved into a more advanced role and immediately gave Milan greater energy in the final third, setting up 19-year-old Alphadjo Cisse for the opening goal before getting on the scoresheet himself moments later. Cisse, who had already earned praise from Amorim before the match, produced an impressive performance beyond his years.

Alphadjo Cissè, remember the name 🧠 pic.twitter.com/2SZvoJVPnI

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“It was not just the goal, but the quality that Cisse showed during the game,” Amorim said. “In the first half, he acted like the most experienced player in our team, with the way he took the game forward.”

Milan were made to sweat in the closing stages when Che Adams produced a stunning acrobatic finish in stoppage time, but the Rossoneri held on. For Amorim, the late pressure was almost as important as the victory itself because his players had to defend together despite their physical struggles.

“I think we saw one team for the first 75 minutes, then another at the end, we struggled physically,” he admitted. “We were tired, but we were a team. That is a very good feeling.” The win gives Amorim an encouraging foundation, but he knows there is plenty of work ahead, particularly in how Milan attack and defend both boxes.

“The most important thing is to win,” he added. “We talk about ways of playing, but there is one goal in football, winning.” Milan may still be some distance from becoming the team Amorim wants, but their comeback in Turin offered an early glimpse of the identity he is trying to build.