Amorim evokes spirit of Baresi as he bids revive AC Milan fortunes
Sports
By
AFP
| Aug 04, 2026
Inter Milan’s manager Cristian Chivu addresses a press conference ahead of the friendly football match against Manchester City for the Asahi Super Dry Trophy at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on July 31, 2026. [AFP]
New AC Milan coach Ruben Amorim vowed on Tuesday to honour the legacy of club legend Franco Baresi, who died last week, as he sets about reviving the fortunes of the ailing Italian giants.
Portuguese Amorim has returned to coaching after being sacked in January by Manchester United and faces a Milan derby against bitter rivals Inter in the Western Australia city of Perth on Wednesday.
Amorim's reign began with a 2-2 draw in a friendly against Celtic in Glasgow last month.
The 41-year-old's immediate target will be a top-four finish in Serie A after AC Milan missed out on the Champions League on the final day of last season.
READ MORE
From BBI, Nadco to Vision 2060: Politicians appetite for self-serving reforms
City Hall targets noise generated from events to raise revenue as liquor traders win
From gender equality to public participation, the promises Kenya has yet to keep
The right to access government information faces a reality check to date
Katiba 16: Ruto scorecard: from katiba critic to custodian
Katiba 16: Sixteen years, ordinary Kenyans still wait for the promised better life
Court cases expose how brutal, scheming the state will go to defy the law
KATIBA 16: The State of Devolution as the country marks 16 years of the new Constitution
Nurses refuse to return to work until their demands are met
Health data is Kenya's new land We must own it before it's gone
"I feel that the group is really together," Amorim told reporters in Perth.
"The important thing is to continue with this spirit when things become difficult.
"In this club you need to win every game, so we need to keep that spirit all season."
AC Milan were boosted in the close season by veteran midfield maestro Luka Modric agreeing a one-year contract extension.
Amorim said Modric would play against Inter, having just competed at his fifth World Cup where Croatia were knocked out in the last 32 by Portugal.
"We did a lot to get him back at least for one more year," Amorim said of the former Tottenham and Real Madrid star, who turns 41 in September.
"I'm really pleased with him and he is ready to play some minutes tomorrow."
The match will be an emotional first match for AC Milan since the death of Baresi, who captained the club during a golden era in the 1980s and 1990s.
"When you talk with all the staff about Franco, you see the tears in their eyes," Amorim said.
"Franco was all about the team. The team is the most important thing in our club.
"I will not promise results, but I can promise that I will continue the legacy of Franco."
AC Milan will continue their pre-season against Chelsea in Jakarta on Saturday, while Inter Milan -- who beat Manchester City on penalties in Hong Kong on Saturday -- will remain in Perth to play Juventus on the same day.
Juventus round out the series of all-Italian Perth friendlies against Serie B team Palermo on August 11.
The week-long festival, dubbed "Calcio Italiano", comes after a proposed Serie A match between AC Milan and Como in Perth earlier this year was cancelled because of sanctions imposed by the Asian Football Confederation.
Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu said he thought hosting a Serie A match in Perth would be a good idea
"What I suggest is playing it at the start of the season," Chivu said.
"We should start promoting Italian football more, especially in this part of the world."