Milan under pressure as Cardinale demands change, Amorim seeks answers

In the Europa League home loss to Benfica, AC Milan failed to score in the first half, a stark reminder of the goalless starts that have plagued the side and that prompted Gerry Cardinale to demand an immediate change while Ruben Amorim searches for answers ahead of the Lecce clash.

First‑half goal drought

Across four Serie A fixtures and the single Europa League match, Milan have not found the net in any opening period, leaving the first‑half goal tally at zero. The statistic underlines a structural problem that the club’s hierarchy cannot ignore.

Cardinale's ultimatum

Gerry Cardinale reiterated his confidence in Amorim but warned that results must become convincing and the trajectory must reverse before the Sunday evening game at San Siro against Lecce. He stressed that experimentation must give way to a clearer hierarchy and that the team must win to restore certainty.

Tactical options and next match

Amorim, who has a contract running until 30 June 2029 at €4 million net per season, said after the Benfica defeat: “Ma io cambio di continuo. Abbiamo due mesi di lavoro, troveremo sicuramente delle soluzioni per adattarci. Dobbiamo creare un modo di fare, ma dobbiamo anche vincere delle partite. Sono pronto ad adattarmi.” He now has 48 hours to calm the squad and adjust the starting eleven.

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Early fixtures have shown a pattern: against Torino, Modrić and Rabiot were held on the bench until the second half; versus Venezia, Saelemaekers’ entry unlocked the attack; and against Juventus and Lazio, substitutions such as Cissé, Chukwueze, Moreira and Pulisic altered the game’s flow. The recurring theme is a sluggish start that later changes through tactical tweaks.

The preparation for the Lecce encounter is described as “the most delicate and fundamental” moment before the international break, with the club seeking to break the first‑half dead‑lock and avoid another Prima defeat in European competition.

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If Milan can score early against Lecce, the win would not only halt the barren opening‑period trend but also provide the morale boost needed for the forthcoming break. Cardinale will be watching closely, while Amorim remains ready to adapt his approach.