Sergio Conceicao has claimed that those who work at AC Milan must do a bit of soul-searching as a dreadful 2024-25 season comes to a close.
Milan’s final away game of the campaign was symbolic in many ways, as it contained errors and ill-discipline that ultimately led to a 3-1 defeat against Roma. The defeat means that Milan will be without European football next season, and Conceicao being sent off late on was fitting too.
A few days prior the Rossoneri had lost the Coppa Italia final against Bologna, and now it feels like the adventure is coming to a very sad and bitterly disappointing end for the Portuguese coach. The cigar-smoking and dancing in Riyadh feels like so long ago.
Conceicao spoke to reporters after the full-time whistle in the press conference room at the Stadio Olimpico, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
Milan will not play in Europe next year. Your thoughts?
“I’ve been thinking since day one, I’ve looked at the numbers since I arrived, since the first game. We are in a quartet of teams that would be in the Champions League: there are Roma, Napoli, Inter and us.
“Was it a good season? Obviously not. And today’s is a game that fully represents what I’ve experienced in these five months: many negative incidents, small and large. Today there was Gimenez’s red card. Is that fair? Maybe.
“I saw the episode again and they told me that the red card could have been given. But I remember that only four days ago, the same VAR didn’t call the referee on an identical episode with Matteo Gabbia. And that’s strange.
“The second goal came from a foul, which wasn’t called, on Ricky Sottil who was glaringly fouled. And in the end even these small details make the difference. I remember some of the most important incidents that were pure interpretation.
“There were individual errors, mistakes by the coach too, of course. It hasn’t been an easy season. To answer the question: obviously a club like Milan can’t stay out of Europe, it can’t end up like this in the standings.
“We all know that. Each of us, on a personal and professional level, must understand what we did well and what we didn’t, and take our own responsibilities.”
Is this season a failure?
“Those who work at Milan must understand what they did well and what they didn’t. I will do it. We need to sit down and talk about what Milan will be in the future.”
Ah, true. The obvious foul on Sottil. The ref decided to look away and then seconds later gave the match-deciding freekick at the other end. True.
But still. We lost because we conceded before the match had even started, took a beyond idiotic red card and had no team play. Nothing new there. It has been like that for a year now. Thank the management and not the refs. We got what we deserved.
#Redbird out