Alexis Saelemaekers came off the bench to shape Milan's win over Venezia, then credited Ruben Amorim for clearing the air after a season that left the squad flat.
The Belgian entered alongside Adrien Rabiot in the second half, replacing an opening setup that had used Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Alphadjo Cisse in the attacking midfield roles. The change paid off, and Saelemaekers marked his introduction with an assist.
Speaking to DAZN, Saelemaekers pointed to a conversation with Amorim early in the campaign that defined how the coach sees him. "We talked about it at the start of the season. He told me that he views me as someone who plays behind the striker, given I play well in tight spaces. That said, he knows I'll give 100% wherever he deploys me."
It is a position that suits the way he likes to attack. "I like to cut inside, so when I'm on the left, I can cut into the right. I feel better, more comfortable, and I'm happy to have provided an assist today."
Saelemaekers did not hide how heavy last season sat on the group, with the World Cup break scattering the players' returns and expectations left unmet. He framed Amorim's arrival as the fresh start that turned the mood around. "The coach, however, did a good job of resetting everything, and I think it shows on the pitch. Each player is having more fun, their minds are clear, and we need to keep it that way. It was very important for us to win today in front of our fans, in memory of Baresi, and we are ready for the next match, which will be very difficult."
The high press has become central to how Amorim wants Milan to play, and Saelemaekers described it as the foundation for everything else. "It's a trait the coach gave us right away. We have the players to do it, so we have to take advantage of it. Our first defence is in attack, so if we press well in attack, we have done 50% of the job. We work hard during the week, and this has already brought us several goals. We have to continue like this and improve."
For a player often used as a utility option, having a clearly defined home behind the striker is the kind of clarity that turns a squad man into a regular contributor. The next test, as Saelemaekers noted himself, is a harder one.