Amorim sets Milan a consistency test against Atalanta

Milan can reach 15 points with a win over Atalanta, but Ruben Amorim says the bigger test is making improvement count in the results. The coach wants his side to win this match and the next one, rather than judge progress by the goals scored in their recent game against Salzburg.

“Of course, there we scored many goals, but in general we’re improving as a team,” Amorim told Sky Sport before the Serie A fixture. He said Milan had played better games than Salzburg and stressed the need to find consistency “in the small details” after Sassuolo.

That demand comes with Milan sixth on 12 points after six games. They are unbeaten, with three wins and three draws, but their latest league match ended level. A victory would lift them to 15 points and give the improvement Amorim describes a tangible return in the table.

Atalanta are 10th on nine points, with three wins and three defeats, and arrive after a win. They can draw level with Milan on points if they take all three. The standings make this more than a test of Milan’s play: the hosts have a chance to extend their advantage, while Atalanta can close it.

Amorim also defended his selection when asked about Adrien Rabiot starting to help Luka Modrić. He said Milan’s setup is designed around where players should position themselves to defend and attack according to their characteristics, calling this “the best XI for this match.” Rabiot has scored once in two league appearances this season; Modrić has one assist and no goals. Amorim did not spell out their specific roles.

The coach’s stated aim stretches beyond Sunday’s fixture: “We want to win tonight, but also the next one: regardless of today’s result, we want and have to win them.” Milan host Atalanta on Sunday, 18 October at 18:00 CEST. The immediate challenge is to turn the team’s improvement into the consistency needed to keep collecting points.