Ruben Amorim explains his criticism of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and change of position for Adrien Rabiot against Lazio . 'I like to be honest with my players, Loftus-Cheek has everything.'
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST).
JAKARTA, INDONESIA – AUGUST 08: Head coach Ruben Amorim of AC Milan looks on during the pre-season friendly between Chelsea FC and AC Milan at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on August 08, 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Peksi Cahyo/Getty Images)
Despite expectations, Alphadjo Cisse and Loftus-Cheek are chosen as the support for centre-forward Goncalo Ramos, sending Rabiot into a deeper role with Modric in midfield.
Samuel Chukwueze and Pervis Estupinan also start, sending Yunus Musah and Diego Moreira to the bench after the 1-1 draw away to Juventus.
MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 28: Ruben Amorim, Head Coach of AC Milan, reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Venezia FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 28, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
"We need quality in every sector, the quality on the ball was good at Juventus , but we lack strength and were not aggressive in the final third, we needed players between their lines, and we missed that," Amorim told DAZN Italia.
"It's not just the quality of the players, it's the quality of the position in the right moments and the right space to be dangerous. We worked on it during the week, and we'll see today."
Amorim was critical of Loftus-Cheek in his press conference yesterday, noting that the England international needs to be a lot more consistent and involved.
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 10: Ruben Loftus-Cheek of AC Milan competes for the ball with Ederson and Marten De Roon of Atalanta BC during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 10, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
"I like to be honest with the players, and when I say something to the media, it means I already said it 10 times to the players," assured the coach.
"I think it's not usual to see that, but it is important. I am saying that because I believe a lot in players like him. I look at Ruben and he has everything, he's powerful, he can play with both feet, good in the air, but he needs to be inside the game for 90 minutes.
"I think that is simple to understand, he needs to put his quality in every minute of the game. Of course, he's not always close to the ball, but I think he can be more involved in the game, where he can help the team to be more creative and make more danger in the final third."
TURIN, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Ruben Amorim, Head Coach of AC Milan reacts during the Serie A match between Torino FC and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on August 23, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Rabiot has been used in a trequartista role so far this season under Amorim, but this time is dropped down into the midfield two with Luka Modric, sending Musah to the bench.
"They are a little bit different, one is left-footed and the other right. Rabiot is not just a guy who can reach the box and shoot, he can also control the tempo of the game.
"He has a lot of quality and experience, he can make the runs, is good near the box also, but today the characteristics of Luka and Rabiot could be really important to help Cisse and Loftus-Cheek," explained Amorim.
"It's hard for me to leave Musah out, but every game has its history, and sometimes we need to forget the last game, realise this is a different match with different characteristics."
