Milan will host Lecce in a Serie A Matchday 5 fixture at 02:45 CEST on September 21 . Coach Amorim attended the pre-match press conference; this is the fourth part of it.

Michael Como (Radio Lombardia): Coach, I imagine these past few days have been the toughest and most stressful since you arrived here—on one hand due to the team's results, and on the other, the overwhelming media pressure and speculation outside the training ground. So I want to ask you: will all of this lead you to say today, "The tactical experiments are completely over; I'm going to do the simplest, safest things"? In other words, will you put out the starting lineup everyone wants to see, with all the best players on the field?
What's the best starting XI in your opinion?
For me?
Yes.
All of them?
Yes, come on! All of them, of course!
Hernández, Thiaw or Gabbia, Pavlović, Modrić, Rabiot, Chukwueze, Moreira, Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek...
Four center-backs?
No, three...
OK.
So Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic, Reijnders...
Who are you talking about on the left?
Moreira on the left, with Moreira, Chukwueze, Rabiot, Modrić, Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic, Reijnders...
If Chukwueze has issues after playing three consecutive matches, who would you put in that position?
Saelemaekers?
Saelemaekers on the right, right? OK, to maintain width in one-on-one situations, correct?
I'm not the coach...
Who did you say was in the middle?
Rabiot and Modrić...
Rabiot and Modrić, right? What did you all say about Modrić last week? (laughter in the room)
They said he couldn't play three games in a row, but he hasn't even played, has he?
No, no, no—it's more than that, guys! What did you all say about Modrić last week?
That wasn't me; I didn't ask about Modrić...
OK, I'm defending Modrić here! You're suggesting Modrić should play, so you'll find that we field a different starting XI every week. We're playing three games in a week, and I have to manage rotations. At times you want to bring certain players on, at times you want to push hard in the final stages, so what do you do?
I know this isn't your job—it's mine. I understand the tactical logic I'm trying to explain, and I'm happy to clarify. External opinions will change, because Musah is indeed performing very well right now—do you agree? Who said last week that the second-half lineup we used against Lazio was the best starting XI? Was Modrić on the field then? No.
So gentlemen, we could discuss this all day. I will try to win every match—and I want you to know, no one here, no one in this world wants to win more games than I do. I'm trying every possible tactical solution with all my strength. Everyone must understand that I'm not just considering short-term gains; I'm planning for the club's long-term development, because that's what's best for the club, not what's best for me personally. I will do this with conviction.
Therefore, in tomorrow's match, I will select the most suitable starting XI while also keeping options in reserve in case we need to strengthen our attack and push forward in the second half. I'm constantly trying to balance these factors and do my best to win. I will give my utmost to help my players and my team. I apologize for this lengthy answer, but I know this is my responsibility and my job—not yours. However, you're actually quite close to tomorrow's starting lineup.
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Luka Modrić
Rúben Amorim
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