After the game between Como and Milan, which the latter won 2-1, Sergio Conceicao spoke to the media. Once again, he made it clear that the Rossoneri have a lot to improve, while also highlighting issues from before his time that need to be solved.
Milan seemingly only know how to win when conceding the first goal(s). They did it against Juventus and Inter, but failed to beat Cagliari after scoring the opener (finished 1-1). Tonight, yet another turnaround was completed with two second-half goals against Como.
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Speaking to Sky Italia after the game, as transcribed by MilanNews, Conceicao reiterated that Milan aren’t close to where they need to be. He also made it clear that some players need to be changed quite a lot for his style of play.
On the game…
“A lot of suffering because we faced a good team, with good players who are well trained. It’s not easy, we prepare the matches with videos and blackboards, but the pitch is missing. We must be more present in attacking and defensive duels. However, there is always a good reaction and a good atmosphere. It’s easier to work after getting positive results. But we still have to improve a lot.”
Worse first half than against Cagliari?
“We play against quality opponents. We weren’t as effective as we were prepared. In the second half, we were better, especially after we conceded a goal. We have to be more solid as a team, we can’t allow the opponent to come out easily. I have to say it and I say it to the guys too. We have to change and work on certain things, the basis of football is solidity: if you don’t concede goals, then the quality we have will create scoring opportunities.”
How much more can you get out of the players?
“A lot, in terms of how we play. They accept it. We have come back from behind in three games, there’s character. We can improve them physically, tactically, technically and in terms of attitude. I can talk for two hours but if they don’t get it into their heads it’s difficult. Then there are the players’ muscular problems, we’re evaluating everything that was done before my arrival. We need to press harder, with more intensity. There’s a lot of work.”
Bennacer and Fofana stepping on each other’s toes?
“True. Isma left because he already had a yellow and in midfield it’s difficult, it could have been risky. It’s also true that they need to improve how they occupy space with and without the ball.”
Can attacking players apply more effective pressure?
“We have clear ideas, the players think that pressing high makes you run more. It’s not true, you don’t run more but you run less. This is my idea of the game. It’s clear that we have players who don’t have these characteristics, let’s try to change them. We have everything to gain. It’s true that Leao, Morata and Pulisic don’t have the characteristics but it’s the team that needs to improve.”
On the pre-match interview…
“I was boiling, I live every game so passionately. In 13 years, I have never done an interview before the match, I’m not used to it. Even with my family, I don’t speak 2-3 hours before the match. Those in the club should talk more before the match, I should talk less because I’m nervous, I’m already in the match.”
Is there a physical issue as well? Pulisic and Thiaw got hurt…
“Morata too, he had a bit of a muscle problem and we decided not to risk it. We are evaluating everything, we have to grow on this level too. If we want to have intensity we have to be at the top and right now we are missing something.”
The Rossoneri will be up against Juventus next and it’s worth noting that Alvaro Morata will be suspended for the game. He didn’t have a good game tonight, getting a 5/10 in our player ratings, and the yellow card was the icing on the cake.
Scrappy win but I don’t care. We need wins, we need points. It will build Confidence and momentum. That’s all that matters. I personally have full confidence in Conceicao. He knows what he’s doing, he’s a winner.
A wins a win, Bennacer shouldn’t be starting the next game, he needs to be a backup for Fofana, which doesn’t address the issue of resting Reijnders, we need to get Fofana and Reijnders back up to speed, these guys are worn out.
Reijnder and Fofana need to catch their breath. It has clearly showed that they are tired. The coach should stop letting them play almost all the matches. Musa, Benacer, Terraciano, Liberelli and Loftus Cheek (when fit) should be rotated.
Our midfied affected the game badly today.
“Those in the club should talk more before the match, I should talk less because I’m nervous, I’m already in the match.”
He’s not scared to throw a hand grenade in the direction of the football management outside of his coaching team. I.e. someone like Ibra or Moncada should be doing these interviews.
Comceicao a big upgrade. Trend in right direction.
For a month, I’ve thought that Milan’s defense was the weak link. While Theo’s matador guarding didn’t prevent the Como and first Inter goals, and Emerson loses players on corners…central defence seems more solid.
After the Caligari and Como games ? The midfield is now the weak link. bennacer can neither penetrate nor pass forward. reijnders is exhausted, and fofana makes poor decisions. Only musah shows the kind of box to box link up play and penetration that we need.
Neither Kyle Walker nor Rashford will solve this. IMHO.
This whole it’s everybody’s fault but mine act is going to wear thin pretty quick. He needs to figure why this team is so awful in the first half under him.
Probably because we have the likes of Emerson and Tomori playing🤡. And an exhausted midfield
This is how behaves a typical team without strong leadership in the locker room and a sense of belonging caused by cultural differences.
So mostly it’s directors fault, because Moncada and Zlatan don’t want to get out of the Anglo-French speaking players transfer bubble and look for real leaders.
Says the guy who wants blame Theo for everything…
Conceição didn’t get the luxury of a pre-season no matter how short it was, and fixing a team mid-season isn’t always feasible even for a great coach. He’s working with players whom he didn’t chose any and can’t afford to rotate as he likes.
Now in the end, he has to be held accountable at some point, but unless we’re relegated I won’t consider him a downgrade from Fonseca. And aside from him, this team is in dire need of winter reinforcements, Fofana and Reijnders can’t keep playing forever and we can already see their performances dropping significantly. We don’t have a proper striker although a good one is unlikely to come by winter. Our right back is our weakest link and we need someone to rotate with Theo.
Conceicao is a very good coach I can notice, we need to admitt we have 1 draw and 3 wins with him which is a very good performance but also he need time to make the team to impove to next level.