Samuel Chukwueze has declared AC Milan’s faith in him a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” he refuses to waste, after delivering a man-of-the-match display in Ruben Amorim’s first victory as Rossoneri coach — a 4-2 pre-season dismantling of Manchester United.
In a friendly loaded with narrative, Amorim — sacked by United last season before taking charge in Milan — watched his new side come from behind twice to rout his former employers in Poland on Saturday. At the center of the revival was Chukwueze, the 27-year-old Nigerian international who scored Milan’s first equalizer, then turned creator with assists for two further goals.
Match report: A second-half statement
Harry Maguire headed United in front inside two minutes, but Chukwueze restored parity in the 37th minute with a back-post finish. Patrick Dorgu’s strike at 51 minutes put United ahead once more before Milan ran riot: Cissé equalized in the 57th, Gonçalo Ramos made it 3-2 in the 68th, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek completed the scoring three minutes later (Goal; AC Milan official website; Manchester United official website).
The official Milan match report singled out Chukwueze as “particularly impressive, scoring AC Milan’s first equaliser before setting up Cissé for the second and Ramos for the goal that made it 3-2” (acmilan.com). Sky Sports noted that United “collapsed” as Amorim’s side won comfortably.
A new role, a new lease of life
The performance carried deeper significance for Chukwueze. After a difficult start to his Milan career since joining from Villarreal, he spent last season on loan at Fulham and returned with questions hanging over his future (Afrik-foot). Amorim, however, has handed him a surprising lifeline: a right wing-back role in a 3-4-2-1 system — a position the winger admits he has never played in his career.
“Of course, I’m very happy,” Chukwueze told reporters after the match, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport. “It was a good test for the team, to prepare us for the season. We did everything perfectly.”
On his relationship with his new coach, he was unequivocal: “Yes, he’s a good coach. He trusts me and has given me an opportunity. Now it’s up to me to to take it… He simply showed faith in me, and I think I need to make the most of it. I can’t waste this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — to return to Milan after the loan spell.”
Believing in himself
Asked whether he enjoys the unfamiliar wing-back role, Chukwueze acknowledged the challenge while radiating confidence.
“Yes, even though it’s a position I need to adapt to because I’ve never played in this role in my career. As a footballer, if a coach wants you to play in a certain position, you have to do it by believing in yourself and in the coach, because he knows what he wants. So, I just need to keep committing, believing in myself and that I can do it. For me, it’s an opportunity I have to seize. I know it’s a difficult task, but I believe in myself. I know I can do it, I can do anything.”
The coach’s backing is clearly hands-on. “The technical staff are helping me. The coach is also helping me. Every time I make a mistake, he tells me: ‘Oh, Chukwueze, this is what you need to do.’ So, I think I’ll improve before the start of the season,” he said.
Amorim has publicly explained the switch, highlighting Chukwueze’s spirit and work rate rather than pure defensive ability as the reasons behind it (Punch; Premium Times).
Praise for Ramos — and a wink at their chemistry
Chukwueze was also full of praise for new striker Gonçalo Ramos, who was on the receiving end of one of his assists: “I think he’s a fantastic striker, one you want to play with. He knows when to drop deep, he’s good in the air, and he attacks the space behind defenders. I think he’s a fantastic lad.”
When asked what Ramos said to him after the assist, the Nigerian smiled: “That’s between me and him.”
Eyes on Torino
With pre-season now complete, Milan turn their attention to the Serie A opener against Torino — and Chukwueze is clear about the target.
“We’ve worked hard all week and are preparing well for the season. We want to start Serie A with a win, to gain the confidence everyone needs. It’s essential that the fans and the club also believe in us.”
Those who watched him in Wrocław may already be convinced. As the original Gazzetta piece noted, Chukwueze is far more comfortable on the pitch than in front of cameras and notebooks — on Saturday, he let his football do the talking, and it spoke loudly of a redemption arc Milan fans will hope is just beginning.
