On the eve of the clash between AC Milan and Como, Sergio Conceicao spoke to the media at his usual press conference. Among other things, he responses to the rumours of Cesc Fabregas taking his job.
Milan got back to winning ways with a strong comeback against Lecce at the weekend, scoring three goals in the second half, and the goal is to add three more points tomorrow. However, Como are in decent form and it might not be so easy for the Rossoneri.
Speaking to the media at his usual press conference at Milanello (via MilanNews), he once again highlighted how useful it has been to have a full week of training. He also responded to the rumours linking Como’s manager, Cesc Fabregas, with the Rossoneri.
This is your second week without mid-week commitments. How useful is this for you?
“Very very important. For us, it was important to work on game situations, and also on a physical level where we needed it. The response of the boys was fantastic in terms of spirit. I like to see the spirit they have, they are happy and content. We are working on things that we have never worked on all together.”
Is the Champions League still on your mind?
“Let’s think about the present, we have an important and difficult match against Como. I don’t need to think too far ahead, we have to work every day and you can see the joy in working, even when we do it hard. They are happy. The group is doing well. They have given me a fantastic response in these two weeks. We have to continue on this path, then we’ll settle the accounts.”
Defeats have always followed comeback victories… Have you worked on your motivation?
“We try to work on all points of view: physical, tactical and emotional. I’m very satisfied with this week as I was with last. We started very well against Lecce, then in the second half we created a lot and scored three goals, we could have scored even more. The other teams have quality, good coaches… Here in Italy no game is easy. Once yes, now it seems more balanced, different and more difficult.”
There’s a lot of talk about Milan in June and the coach of the future…
“I can’t control what others say and think. I can control what we do in training, the rest is what it is. I’ve been a football man for many years, I’m used to everything. Sometimes it seems like I’m a bit disrespectful to the people who are still here, but I’m used to it, it’s football.”
Is it an extra motivation to beat Como tomorrow given that Fabregas has been linked, among other coaches, to Milan? Is there a desire for personal revenge?
“If motivation started from this, then it would mean I’m sick and would have to go to the hospital… Motivation comes from the desire to win a difficult match against a team that has quality, with interesting players and a good technical staff. We need to study their strengths and weaknesses and do our job, focusing on ourselves. If we do what we have worked on then we are closer to winning it. It is Milan against Como, not Conceicao against the opposing coach.”
Do you have regret for not having been here since the beginning of the season?
“No. When I arrived here, I knew the schedule wasn’t easy with a squad that had playing principles given by other coaches.”
In the last six Serie A games, Leao has always had an impact with goals, penalties won or assists. When he comes off the bench, he scores a goal or an assist every 52 minutes, but as a starter his minutes increase. Will Leao start tomorrow or not?
“You want to come at these things in a nice way… (laughs). Rafa is one of the best players in the Italian league, perhaps even in the world. I spoke to him, we are very direct. We have a fantastic relationship, he is very available and is ready to help the team, both from the start and in the 14th and 90th minute.”
Ideas for the starting midfield? Then, Gimenez hasn’t scored in a month. How much can you help him express himself fully? What have you worked on this week?
“In these weeks, we have had time to work on other things, we have worked specifically on attack, defence and midfield. It is a job of the whole team to react when you lose the ball. We have to work with all the departments to achieve balance. We are working to reach this balance, to be dangerous up front and defensively to not let the opponents get to us easily.”
Marchegiani – your former teammate – says he has the impression that Milan don’t know how to defend… Is it clear why this team, from a defensive point of view, continues to concede the same goals?
“When the opponents score, there is always a mistake, which can be collective or individual. But it happens everywhere. Before coming here, I had a video meeting with the defensive line to see what we didn’t do well. They do the attack-defense transition well, but you have to know how to stop the opponent’s counter-attack.
“We can do it and we have to do it, we have fast players. We are working every day, I’m happy to work on situations that before we only worked on with video. Now working on the pitch is different. It’s not like you can be perfect from one day to the next, every day there is something to improve but we are doing that.”
Did Sacchi answer you?
“This is to be asked to Ramazzotti (Gazzetta). I have great respect for him. These things about messages are for young people, he doesn’t even see them. I send him a big hug.”
How is Loftus-Cheek doing?
“I’ve never had him due to injuries, but now he’s 100%. He’s not ready for 90 minutes yet, but I like him a lot. He’s a very strong midfielder, he gets into the opponent’s area well. Physically he’s a monster, I hope to have him available for the end of this season. Last year he scored 10 goals, he’s a box-to-box player of great quality.”
Can Gimenez play with Abraham?
“It depends on the match and the strategy I have for the match. I like to play with two references in front, but starting like this from the beginning, I don’t think so.”
Tomorrow’s game is scheduled for 18:00 CET and since the reverse fixture was played in Como, it will be played at San Siro this time out. It looks like Rafael Leao will be back from start, even if Conceicao perhaps was a bit coy with his answer.
hope to see the same desire like last week. if luck goes more in our direction (or at least even), i believe this team can turn into a real pleasure.
Let’s see if we can have a game where we don’t concede 2 goals.
Because at present it takes 3 goals for to be possible to win a game.
It’s not sustainable.