Amorim explains Milan changes on 'special' debut and Leao sale

Milan coach Ruben Amorim is fired up for his ‘special’ home debut against Venezia, explains the changes and Rafael Leao’s sale to Galatasaray. ‘You must understand the team is the most important thing.’

It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The Rossoneri started their season with a difficult 2-1 victory away to Torino, sealed by goals from Alphadjo Cisse and substitute Adrien Rabiot.

Amorim a lifelong Milan supporter 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) “It’s a special day today, of course me as a manager I’m just focused on the game, we need to win and play well,” Amorim told DAZN Italia.

“I know the first at home is always difficult, the team is anxious to show a good performance to the fans. It is going to be even more special if we win the game.”

There are two changes to the starting XI this evening as Ruben Amorim makes his debut at San Siro, with Luka Modric and Davide Bartesaghi coming in for Ardon Jashari and Pervis Estupinan.

Rabiot remains on the bench, as he has barely played since the World Cup with France.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 05: Luka Modric of AC Milan runs inti the field during the pre-season match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Optus Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images) “It’s a lot of things together, but of course Modric has experience to give us a little more calm in that area. Jashari also has quality, but the experience is different, Modric played 30 minutes with a lot of quality in the last game,” explained Amorim.

“Bartesaghi is about the movement, as Venezia play a lot man for man, so he has the physicality to cover a lot of runs. We try to balance the team, change some things, but the most important thing is the quality of the whole team.

“We know that sometimes we have to run a lot after the ball, we must be really humble and realise we cannot press all the time, so be ready to do other things too.”

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 05: Rafael Leao of AC Milan hugs Christopher Nkunku of AC Milan after his goal during the pre-season match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Optus Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images) Rafael Leao, Samuele Ricci, Fikayo Tomori, Youssouf Fofana, Santiago Gimenez and Warren Bondo were left out of the squad pending transfers.

It is reported that Leao will be at San Siro this evening to say goodbye to the fans and his teammates, as an agreement was reached today for the sale to Galatasaray for €43-45m plus €2m add-ons and a 20 per cent cut of the future fee.

TURIN, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Ruben Amorim, Head Coach of AC Milan looks on before 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) “I think if you are here, you need to be here 100 per cent, and understand the team is the most important thing. What I remember from the big Milan teams is not just the quality of the players, it’s that every player fought for the team, and then some players you see as individuals,” noted Amorim.

“Our biggest concern at the moment is about the team. If you play well and win games as a team, everyone becomes a special player, as you always have the individual.”