AC Milan head coach Sergio Conceicao believes that his side deserved to win against Como, praising several individuals including Tijjani Reijnders and the substitutes.
Como played well for parts of the game and took the lead in the first half through Luca Da Cunha. The Frenchman despatched a feed from the left side into the bottom corner with Mike Maignan unable to get down to it.
Milan activated their muscle memory as they were 1-0 down against Cesc Fabregas’ side in the reverse game, equalising through Christian Pulisic’s shot from a narrow angle then winning it through yet another goal from Tijjani Reijnders.
It means that the Rossoneri are up into seventh for the time being while waiting for the other games this round, but they have at least taken advantage of the fact that Bologna play Lazio and Fiorentina host Juventus.
Conceicao spoke to DAZN after the game to offer his analysis of what was yet another tale of two halves involving his side, and MilanNews relayed his comments.
Where does Reijnders do best?
“It depends on the game, he plays well everywhere: today I put him in more than one position. He understands and is very intelligent. They didn’t go too low and were always there, at a high level.”
Your celebration for the second goal seemed directed at someone, was there anyone important in the stands?
“My family comes to the stadium, but the celebration was one of a coach who saw his team miss a couple of sitters in the first 15-20 minutes.
“There were some difficulties defensively, also connected to the attack, because we were too deep, the timing of the pressing was all wrong, so Como were very comfortable.
“We tried to change things during the break and try to start doing what we had prepared. It was not a great performance, but we deserved the victory.”
Is it a comeback that is less the result of chance than the others?
“It was not easy for the players being 1-0 down against a well-trained Como side. We had to be more insistent on what we had prepared, both on and off the ball. We knew that the opponents had weak points we needed to exploit.”
What kind of period is Fofana going through?
“Youssouf when I arrived here, you told me that he had played all the games, and it’s true that there are periods where you have to breathe a bit. The main thing I have to say is that every player who comes in is to give something to the team.
“This means a good group, everyone has the desire to do and help. This makes me happy. Tammy also came on and did very well, after Rafa seemed a bit tired, I put Loftus-Cheek who gave a bit more weight because he is very strong physically. I’m happy because they come in with a good attitude.”
Gimenez hasn’t scored for nearly a month, how is he?
“He is working hard during the week, focused on all the things we do with him and the other strikers. It’s not easy for a forward to come to Italy, where the teams are all very well-organised defensively, and it’s natural that he needs time to adapt. He will be very important for the rest of the season, I am sure.”
For me conceicao deserve to stay after all just trust in him and gave a full season to him
The team is still too disorganized for my liking. I fail to see his print, his direction…everything is just too haphazard. And I say this with all fairness for the little time he has had but things are not shaping up.
Yet somehow Tomori still does not get to play?
Personally think he is way better than the starting CBs we are currently using
Yess too disorganized coz the players not fit with his style. I think musah, theo not fit in Sergio style. these 2 players always had too many defensive errors.
I told you guys Conceicao is not the problem of Milan And I support conceicao to stay, Acmilan must give conceicao chance to remain in Acmilan and with the look of things Acmilan can make it to 4th place or even 3rd place. there’s chance for it. Only that Acmilan must sign Quality players by next season for conceicao.
That’s delusional level of optimism, especially with our ‘one good half time’ team at the moment. You expect 5 teams in front of us to stop playing for the rest of the season? I agree on Conceicao though. He made some mistakes, yes, but a lot of the bad results were a string of huge individual mistakes by the players. I was concerned with the conflicts with the players in Jan, but after the mercato closed I think those were solved. The number of times we got a win after conceding first 1 or 2 goals means his in-game decisions like change in tactics and substitutes are mostly spot on. A lot of room for improvement but definitely not the worst choice for a coach.
He’s a Good coach! I believe he will stay and we will WIN FA Cup this season
We will win the FA Cup??? We don’t play in it. That’s in England. LOL
FWIW I think the above poster was posting tongue in cheek. Regardless, for a good laugh, search for the video where an American journalist asked Schweinsteiger if the Chicago Fire would win the World Cup now that he was playing for them. Very classy response from the player.
I saw the match last night (Indonesia time), and Milan was entertaining in my point of view. Especially before the Como’s goal.
But, after that goal, I admit the Milan was ruined. This team morale is low if opponent scored. Thats why, after the break, this team can bounce back, they need motivation again.
For that entertaining game that I seen. I finally agreed that, if Conceicao can make us this season finish on the top four, or more, then give this man chance for the next season, and give him more players that he want.
Maybe next season, with this team already finding bond with Conceicao, and then new players come that fitted to Conceicao’s plan, maybe it will work on the positive way for Milan.
Makanya dia ganti Theo & musah di babak ke 2. Defensive error. Gua rasa pemain ini bukan pilihannya nanti kalo dia stay di Milan. Sebenarnya milan butuh gak butuh direktur olahraga.ada. moncada, Ibra Dan furlani. Buang2 duit. Pecat salahsatu kl mau rekrut baru.
With the new SD to be assigned, he will definitely not stay. No SD will ever let a pre-selected coach affect the plan he has for the club. Why does the new SD have to compromise and take such risks?
Conceicao is still one of the good coaches in Europe. He’s been a seasonal winner with FC Porto. He should be retained at all cost for next season with the proper signing of players to fit into his style and tactics.
Going back to Allegri is like scrapping the foundation of a proposed building for another.
The substitutes strategy. Milan last coach use this method was ancelotti. Even pioli soon as possible kill the game with his starting players. I think Sergio was genius. He deserve one full season with the players his choices.
If Milan change his coach again, I think he need more time again to adapt. more money to spend…
I feel strongly that Conceição is the best for us at this point and must be giving all support to continue beyond this season, please. He has a lot to offer us.
What to do with you Mister?? From one point of view, Conceicao has great experience and abilities, there is a potential to play dominant football with him + I like the willingness what he bring, because we turn so many matches this season. But on the other hand, his substitute are worse then Fonseca’s and Pioli … his style is for now still chaotic… and there are so many questions about his relationship with players…
I think the team doesn’t play as a team. It lacks a strong midfielder that can manage the times, Reijnders is not that kind of guy. It’d be good to see someone like Vitinha in the midfield. I just don’t see much structure coming from Sergio Conceiçao. Santiago Gimenez is not a player for AC Milan, bring someone like Gonzalo Ramos or a bench-warmer like Endrick.