Ruben Amorim endured a frustrating return to England on Thursday night as Bournemouth trash AC Milan 3-0 in the Europa League.
Bournemouth were gifted the lead when Koni De Winter conceded an early penalty for handball, allowing Justin Kluivert to open the scoring. However, things got more complicated for Amorim’s team when goalkeeper Mike Maignan was shown a red card in the 28 minutes.
Maignan shoved Tyler Adams in the face during a corner, and after a VAR review was dismissed.
The second penalty was well converted by Marcus Tavernier.
Trailing 2-0 at the break, a seething Amorim waited for the match officials by the touchline, according to Daily Mail.
Ruben Amorim speaks to the fourth official during Europa League game between Bournemouth and AC Milan. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
However, despite appearing ready to unleash his fury, the Portuguese boss seemingly bit his lip as they approached and stalked off down the tunnel.
Bournemouth later sealed the 3-0 rout when Amine Adli curled home a late free-kick, capping off a miserable evening for the Rossoneri.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia after the final whistle, a visibly irritated Amorim refused to analyse the tactical breakdown. “The penalty on the corner and the red card changed everything, so it was not a game. It was not a game,” he insisted. “We didn’t have time to recover from the first penalty. We tried to push in the end, but the third goal made it even harder for us.”
Amorim dismissed suggestions that squad rotation was to blame, placing the fault squarely on individual mistakes. “There was no game. It’s not about rhythm or Salzburg, there was no game. It is a different team, you cannot have a penalty in that corner and you cannot get sent off in that situation,” he added.
Amorim reacts during the game. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The former Man United coach also lamented the severe physical toll the dismissal took on his side, adding: “That is true, we cannot do that. We need to keep 11 players on the pitch, there are more experienced players, but now we need to recover and get ready for the next game. We have to run a lot with one less player, try to press at the right moment in that situation, so it was a negative in all aspects tonight.”
The defeat leaves Milan languishing in 24th place in the Europa League, clinging to the final play-off spot after losing two of their first three European fixtures.
Amorim must now put aside the bad spell in Europe and focus on domestic duties, with Milan preparing to face Udinese in Serie A.
