'Amazing' Milan derby win 'part of the process' for Amorim

Ruben Amorim says that while AC Milan's derby victory over Inter was "amazing", it is only "part of the process".

Milan ran out 3-1 winners against their fierce rivals on Saturday, with Diego Moreira playing a starring role at San Siro.

He set up Christian Pulisic and Adrien Rabiot within the first 10 minutes as Milan raced into a 2-0 lead, before Alessandro Bastoni halved the deficit shortly after.

But Moreira then restored the Rossoneri's two-goal cushion with a stunning free-kick, and they held out for all three points to get back to winning ways and deal Inter their first league loss of the season.

Milan have now won four consecutive derbies against Inter in all competitions for only the fourth time in their history, while they have won three straight in Serie A against the Nerazzurri for the first time since a run of four between 2002 and 2004.

Amorim's side were blown away in a 4-2 defeat to Bologna in midweek, and he was delighted with their response, though he did not want to get ahead of himself.

"I was happy with a lot of things; we started really well," Amorim told DAZN Italia.

"They are very strong in the air, but we changed the way we addressed the game; I think compared to other games, we are improving.

"In the second half, we maintained the ball; we were really good at that. Luka Modric helped a lot with that.

"It was not an amazing game, but it's an amazing night for our fans, and it was important for us to win this after Wednesday, so we can move forward.

"We are going to have amazing nights like this, and we are going to have bad moments like against Bologna. That is part of the process. It's good to win these games to explain to the fans that this is a process, and it's going to take time.

"It is impossible to change everything in one day. I can say I'm really happy, really proud of my players, but I am already thinking about the next one."

The win lifted Milan up to fifth in the Serie A table, and they are now just four points behind Inter, who slipped to second on goal difference behind Lazio.

Milan were without Mario Gila, Moreira and Rabiot for the loss to Bologna, but all three players made their impact against Inter, especially Moreira.

With one goal and two assists, he is only the second Milan player in the last 20 years to be involved in three goals in a Serie A Derby della Madonnina, after Rafael Leao in September 2022 (two goals, one assist).

"It was a completely different game and approach," Amorim added. "I felt the team was angry with the last result, but we need to be really honest.

"Gila, Moreira and Rabiot made a big difference in the game, not just because of their quality, but their characteristics in the way we train.

"I am here and thinking about Bologna, what we and I should've done. It's an amazing night for the fans, but we have to focus on the next one.

"The environment is amazing, the passion; it's completely different to any derby I experienced. I am really happy for the players; the fans gain a little more confidence in the project."