Ruben Amorim Faces Inter Derby After Milan's 4-2 Loss to Bologna

AC Milan lost 4-2 at home to Bologna on Wednesday, a defeat that arrives three days before their scheduled match against Inter at San Siro on Saturday. The result places the Rossoneri seven points behind the Serie A leaders, Inter and Lazio, intensifying the pressure on head coach Ruben Amorim.

Bologna, managed by Raffaele Palladino, took an early lead through Samuel Mbangula. Milan responded immediately as Alphadjo Cisse scored two goals to put the home side ahead 2-1 at halftime. Cisse has been noted as a major positive surprise for the club this season.

The game shifted after the break. An own goal by Davide Bartesaghi leveled the score, and Mbangula then completed a hat trick to seal the 4-2 victory for the visitors. The Belgian winger’s third goal ended the match with a substantial advantage for Bologna.

Amorim attributed the collapse to a lack of energy in the second half. He noted that many European teams struggle with the demands of a crowded schedule. For Milan, the specific issue was managing game phases, as the team appeared unable to slow the tempo and maintain possession when needed.

In a post-match interview with DAZN Italy, Amorim cited fatigue and a high number of unavailable players. "So many games, so many players out, a bit of fatigue set in," he said. He mentioned a missed equalizing chance by Camarda and argued that a new manager cannot expect a completely different performance for ninety minutes. "Since we can't rotate as often, it's difficult for us to consistently press and play our football," he stated.

Amorim stated the team's goal for Saturday is to win. "I'm not here to make excuses; I want a team that's always improving, and I'm convinced we can do that," he said. He added that the team would finalize selection and preparation the following day despite the short turnaround.

The derby serves as a critical test for Amorim's position. Club owner Gerry Cardinale replaced the coaching and sporting staff in the summer. A strong result against Inter could stabilize Amorim's standing, while another failure could lead to further changes at the club.