Amorim’s view on Stamford Bridge defeat

Amorim’s view on Stamford Bridge defeat

Ruben Amorim has had his say on Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat at Chelsea.

The Reds were beaten by Marc Cucurella’s second-half goal to ensure we do not take a positive result into Wednesday’s Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao.

But the boss was buoyed by what he saw at Stamford Bridge and is happy with the preparation for the San Mames showdown.

See a selection of what he had to say to the official broadcasters afterwards…

Amorim: We were competitive Video

Amorim: We were competitive

📹 INTERVIEW | Ruben provides his thoughts following the Reds’ narrow defeat at Chelsea…

THE TEAM SELECTION

“The first thing is that we have a lot to improve and the game is the best way of improving. And then we have five days until the final and, if I don’t put the players in to play, it would be like almost 10 days without competition, without that feeling of being competitive. Today was a good day as they understand, when they are focused and competitive, they can control the game. No matter what the opponents. It was a way to show my players we are ready and also prepare for the final.”

BAD LUCK

“I think we started great but, in the final third, we needed to be a bit more aggressive. We were there, we faced the game in the right way. It was a bit of bad luck today. Sometimes, we want to press and to score a goal but we lost a little bit of concentration. You never like it when you lose the game but we were competitive, that was clear. We had a lack of aggression in the final third, you can feel it, but I feel we are improving.”

THE GOAL

“I think it’s one play and there are some things in football that you cannot control. It was one big opportunity and they score, the same happened against West Ham. When we suffer a goal, everyone is responsible. I won’t say anything about a specific player. For me, the biggest problem is that, again, we start the game after the goal and almost concede a second goal. It’s something we need to improve on.”

FEELING IN THE DRESSING ROOM

“Before the game, it was completely different. Sometimes you press some points and feel the reaction of the players before the game and just the feeling in the dressing room was different. That was a good point. I think everybody felt, the players felt we were comfortable and confident with the ball. Sometimes, we are more comfortable in this kind of environment, with everyone against us, apart from our amazing fans.”

NOT THE RIGHT FIT

“I think a lot of people talk about the system and you can see some players in some positions, we don’t have the right fit for that position. But that is not the most important thing. We played the same system today, and in several games, all the games. We didn’t play with a low block. We just waited for the right moments to press. You can see it, especially in the first half, as they had a lot of difficulties in the build-up. We were really focused on the game-plan. I think the focus is on the way we face second balls and set-pieces, and fight for every set-piece. The small things make the difference.”

WE’LL BE READY FOR BILBAO

“It’s five days that we have to prepare. With five days, we can rest. With two, what we’ve been through during the quarter-final and the semi-final, it was two days. It’s completely different to have five days to prepare. Two days of full recovery, two days to prepare and one to play. 

THE PRESSURE

“Of course, we are excited to be in the final. We will be prepared for the final. Since day one, the pressure is one I deal with quite well. Also the players at Manchester United know that. In the past, we’ve had some difficulties in the league but in the final, when you have a final of any cup, we show up. So we are prepared for that.”

Recommended:

Back to Top