It’s been a chaotic 10 days for AC Milan to say the least. Paulo Fonseca was sacked and Sergio Conceicao was appointed the very next day, yet he has already found success.
With a couple of days to prepare for the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final against Juventus, the pressure was not really on Milan. Nevertheless, they won 2-1 after going behind initially.
The real test, if the Rossoneri made it there, was always going to be in the final, against a very strong Inter side that dismantled Atalanta to reach the final.
With Rafael Leao not fully ready following his injury and players such as Matteo Gabbia and Tammy Abraham not fully fit due to the flu, Conceicao had to find the solutions fast if Milan were to have a chance at the trophy.
Surprisingly enough the Diavolo faired well in the first half but crumbled in added time with Inter striking fast on the counter and punishing with the last sequence of the half. To make matters worse, the Rossoneri started the second half in the same poor fashion as they ended the first with Taremi doubling Inter’s advantage just two minutes after the start of the second half.
At that point, many Milan fans might have lost faith given the season and the opponent, but Conceicao reacted fast. Leao was brought on for Alex Jimenez and the impact was instant as the winger earned a dangerous free kick moments after coming on. Theo Hernandez converted said free-kick, halving the deficit just five minutes after Taremi’s goal.
Milan seemed inspired after that, attacking with more courage and creating chances which eventually led to Christian Pulisic’s equaliser in the 80th minute to bring it level.
Chances for both teams followed with Mike Maignan making a huge save to keep it level, but as it was going into penalties Milan made a final push. With 93 minutes on the clock, Abraham was at the right place at the right time to take advantage of Leao’s pass and score the winner.
The goal secured the trophy for his side in what was a stellar performance by the Rossoneri who won their 8th Italian Super Cup equalling Inter’s tally to make the win even sweeter.
Here are five things we observed in the game itself:
1. Theo is back
It’s been a rough half-season for Theo and against Juventus, he was again a culprit for their goal but then recovered after. Against Inter he wasn’t having any of it.
He won the mental battle against Dumfries with the duo continuing their fierce clashes on the left flank. In addition to this, the Frenchman scored the first goal and provided the assist for the second one after an amazing run down the flank.
Defensively he was very solid and he was a constant threat going forward, as proven by his goal contributions, but the desire and running we saw from Theo was exceptional and a sign of the ‘old Theo’.
2. Thiaw and Maignan decisive
Thiaw was at fault for the second goal alongside Tomori, but unlike the Englishman, he performed on the needed level throughout the rest of the game including a crucial block towards the end to help keep it level.
Following that block, Maignan also did his job making a vital save which, in addition to his other numerous saves throughout the game and his ball contribution, made him one of the key figures for Milan on the night as Inter could’ve scored more if he was not at his very best.
3. Another poor performance by Emerson
Overall, the Brazilian was decent enough – he had a couple of good moments going forward and was doing okay at the back as he had lots of help from Musah.
However, he again managed to disappoint as he gifted Inter a throw-in which was executed urgently by the Nerazzurri whilst Emerson was walking with his back turned away. As a result, he completely lost his man and that eventually led to a goal.
The whole sequence was just ridiculous. With 30 seconds on the clock before the half-time mark, the Brazilian made a poor pass to Jimenez who couldn’t really do much and committed an error giving away the throw-in, but Emerson lost focus with his head seemingly in the locker room already.
A simple pass back to Maignan would’ve avoided so much stress instead of playing the ball into a crowded area.
Milan have definitely not found an upgrade to Calabria in that right-back position and it continues to show as it has done often this season.
4. Attacking trio too much for Inter
Pulisic struggled a bit in the first half, playing on the left without much support from Jimenez and Alvaro Morata, but it all changed after the introduction of Leao and later on Abraham.
With Leao coming on, Pulisic shifted back to the right and he had a bit more space since Inter knew very well that Leao had to be marked closely.
That didn’t help though and talk about impact.
The Portuguese ran wild after coming on, full of energy and desire in both phases of the game. Leao won the free kick that resulted in Theo’s goal, then provided the hockey assist to Theo, again, in the build-up for the second goal.
To top it all off, he made a very good run into the penalty area where he was found by Pulisic and the winger squared it to Abraham, who had the easy job of putting the ball into the back of the net.
A stellar performance by Leao and displays like this are precisely why he gets criticised so often by the Milan fans – because they know how unplayable he can be when the energy is there.
It’s all seemingly clicking with Conceicao too, so hopes are that we will be seeing more of this Leao in the future.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning the impact Abraham had too with the trophy-winning goal. On the surface, it might look like he was at the right place at the right time, but it takes a striker’s instinct to position yourself in the right place and the Englishman deserved this moment.
5. Conceicao magic, again
The players are obviously the ones on the pitch and they get most of the credit when the team is winning, but we should mention the great work Conceicao has done in such a short period.
To dismiss his effect and say that was purely a reaction to the new coach would be silly, given we are aware of how his Porto played and the truth is that he found a way to allow Milan’s pillars to shine in these two matches.
On top of that, he reacted very well in both games with substitutions – both games were heavily impacted by them and quickly so. He also managed to motivate the players when they were in a negative spot in both halftime breaks and brought a tonne of energy with him that was transferred onto the pitch by his players.
If the first two games are anything to judge by then it will be a fun ride with the former Porto coach at the helm.
We learned that we need to sell morata… or make him the rb…
Lol! Too true.
1. Pulisic is the most important player on this team. Milan struggles when he’s not in.
2. Leao can be very good and a game changer even though he is lazy…..
3. Abraham only scores goals from a foot away with an empty net.
4. Speaking of, why do Milan strikers rarely score?
5. I like Conceicaos post game cigar dance celebration.
4. Speaking of, why do Milan strikers rarely score?
Because they rarely get any service.
True but when they do they haven’t converted.
I’m sorry I admit I know nothing but at number 5 you’ve talked a bit too much about the Juve game when the article is precisely what we’ve learned from the Inter game. I congratulate all Milanisti for the victory. Forza Milan.
Sorry that wasn’t meant to be a reply
1. Pulisic is at this best as a winger, particularly the right wing. I don’t want to see this nonsense of him being used as an AM ever again (unless no other choice was found).
2. We need Theo and Leao to be inshape and they need to get their sh!t together and show consistency. Not just one good game every blue moon.
3. Emerson should do us a favour and quit football already.
4. Conceição has his work cut for him, we need to be careful of Cagliari. We already beat inter once this season. The boys are generally motivated vs big teams. It’s vs the small ones where they lose motivation and focus. Our defense is still poor and we need a good streak of wins.
5. UNDEFEATED IN 2025 with a 100% win rate.
Theo is back is a bit soon after one game. lets wait 4 weeks for that.
We got 2 “easy” games now to get momentum, nothing else matters
1. I learned Benny has a black eye.
2. Emerson keeps his phone in his kit.
3. Leão dresses in the dark.
4. Conceição smokes cigars and dances
5: Pulisic‘s tactical play is like an Italian, he runs like an Englishmen, and has the personality of a German.
^^ Wins the Internet today.
Thanks for the laugh
😂😂 hilarious!!
“Milan have definitely not found an upgrade to Calabria in that right-back position”
This statement is false. While Emerson has not been very good, he is still an upgrade on Calabria, and both coaches Fonseca and Conceicao have agreed on that. You see coaches unless they are trying to get sacked generally start the players they think give them the best chance to win. I guess Conceicao is a clueless clown as well?
Do we need a better RB, yes. Is Emmerson the best RB we have right now? Yes.
So the constant sh!tting on him all the time is pointless.
“Another poor performance by Emerson
Overall, the Brazilian” Hahaha 😂 😂 😂 what a meltdown some people (you know who) are going to have
If only these professional coaches at the highest level knew as much about football as you losers typing from your mom’s basement.
Haha when you have no substance to your argument of course go ahead and insult. I love your meltdowns. It’s hilarious 😂😂😂😂😂
IF YOU ARE TOO DUMB TO SEE THE ARGUMENT, THAT’S ON YOU.
Both coaches agree with me that Emmerson is the better option than Calabria. I’ll trust their football knowledge over yours. Do you get it now?
And I wonder how many coaches agree with you about Theo being the worst full-back in the league, possibly the world. LMAO
Now, it’s getting late. So go to bed, thank daddy Gerry and his little birdie that you like so much before dozing off and get a good nights sleep. Hope you won’t have any nightmares about Maldini this time.
Still spiralling and unravelling buddy? Hahaha 🤣🤣
Again, you have no answer for that argument, why both coaches have preferred Emmerson over Calabria. But maybe you can disguise that fact with more emojis.
I never said a word about that. You’re living in your own head making up your own sh!t as usual “Another poor performance by Emerson” is what got you tripping??? hahaha 🤣😂 🤣😂🤣😂 even more emojis because the hilariouness has increased
The more desperate you get, the more emojis. The last resort of someone with no argument. Keep pretending you don’t understand the argument. The only one tripping is you.
If you go back to my comment, I just stated that when he says writer says Emmerson is not an upgrade on Calabria that he is wrong. And both coaches who see these two players everyday came to that same conclusion.
It’s still an argument you have yet to answer and all the emojis in the world can’t help you, Child.
You do know I’ve said my comment wasn’t for you right? It got tied up under your comment for some reason. But you’ve had your meltdown anyway, sorry a double ..no scratch that…a triple meltdown. Just as predicted LMAO 🤣
Of all the people crying foul of no substance to arguments LMAO. When ppl confronted you about your comment on “making judgements” a third way through the season you said nothing of value and wanted Fonseca to stay on..fast forward a few more rounds and we’re worse off. Again nothing of value. When you were saying last year we were objectively better and people pointed out how much worse we did in the UCL you completely ignored it. Fast forward to this year and suddenly the UCL is a thing because we beat ‘mighty’ Real is such hypocrisy from you. And you go around talking about no substance or answers to your nonsense you spewing?? Get a grip bro.
Capello doesn’t agree with you though.
Man you are a stubborn one eh!
Emerson is an actual joke, I don’t think I’ve seen worse, ever, anywhere, including 5 aside
There are plenty of examples of a team needing someone to fill in at full back and we have options.
Calabria, Musah, Jimenez, Terraciano, Tomori all of whom are better than that complete and utter clown. How does any self respecting scout pat 15m for that?
Calabria has been a solid RB for years, including in our scudetto win and CL semis run. Sorry if you missed those.
There is no excuse to play Emerson and I expect Conceicao will drop him.
He will be our highest paid Futuro player and likely will be on the bench there too as Jimenez is better than him.
Enough with the nonsense, use your eyes and please quit with this weird obsession of supporting all the redbird signed players and trashing the ones there previously. It’s quite bizarre and hard to fathom
Explain why first Fonseca and now Conceicao are playing Emerson as the starter ahead of Calabria then?
They see the same players in their training sessions, so unless Davide is having nightmares in training, why would they not pick him ahead of Royal for the RB position, if they believe Davide is the better player?
Truth hurts eh?
Firstly I pointed out we have more options than Calabria, but I’ll answer your question.
Fonseca played him because he was brought in for him specifically and the management want to see there new purchase.
Conceicao has played him as he has had a matter of days to prepare and was never going to make drastic changes. Also Calabria has not been fully fit.
Did you not see Emerson hand Inter the 1st goal?
Did you also miss all the times he gave the ball away, fell over, ran into Inter players.
Perhaps you will accept basic logic once he is dropped permanently and I look forward to some humility from you
It’s only a matter of time until the new Mister will bench him. In fact now that he’s suspended against Cagliari I expect it to change the trend. No more Emerson.
Grasping at straws. Again, we have facts, that both coaches have now chosen Emmerson over Calabria.
You have excuses, and not good ones. Pretending to know what is in the coaches head as to why they chose Emmerson over Calabria. Calabria has been back from injury for over a month. He’s fit.
Pulisic literally just returned from injury this week and played 2 games in 3 days basically the full 90.
Musah, just back from injury he started him. Bennacer just back from a much more serious injury, he started him.
As far as not wanting to make changes, he had no problem benching Bennacer and starting Musah when he thought that was the better option. Starting Calabria over Emmerson is not a drastic change in any way. And with 2 games in 3 days, if he thought Calabria was the better option, he would have used him. ANy more excuses?
So you’re putting our MVP Pulisic and Calabria on the same level now? 😀 😀 😀
Whoops wasn’t meant as a reply to you but as it turns out….
Why are you making it up that both coaches agree Emerson is better than calabria?
Because they both are starting him over Calabria…
Do you think coaches usually start the player they think is worse? Jesus, what is the IQ level in this place/ I can’t believe I had to explain that.
Thanks for explaining Mr. Trump, your logic is amazing.
I think it’s because Emerson is better at attacking than Calabria. Just a tactical choice
He really isn’t. Calabria has 500 minutes this season and has bagged a goal.
Emerson has 3 times that and has done nothing going forward.
“I think it’s because Emerson is better at attacking than Calabria.”
Emerson can’t even get past a cone. 😀 😀 😀
Have you, for even a second, though they might have directive from the top to play that piece of ****?
And yes I think coaches a lot of times start players that are worse. A golden example would be pioli and krunic.
Fact is you don’t know why Emerson is starting and are making up a narrative that fits your little view.
I think Jimenez would do well in the right-back position. Hopefully he’ll get a chance to show it as Emerson is suspended because of the yellow card in final.
Even an injured Florenzi is still 100x better than Emerson in his best form.
What we learnt?
1. Journalists don’t support other journalists who were murdered by a regime.
2. Modern football has stooped to such depths that it will happily help sportswash brutal regimes.
3. All for winnings that are less than the fee paid for Emerson Royal.
4. Modern football has turned the entire nightclub into a VIP section so it’s now just a P section.
5. AC Milan now have as much connection to Italy as Danish ham.
6. Now back to the real world where we’re still 8th.
“2. Modern football has stooped to such depths that it will happily help sportswash brutal regimes.”
Well football was invented in one of, if not THE most brutal colonial regime of all time.
The British empire was a product of the 17th-19th centuries.
This is 2024 where footballers go around wearing ‘Respect’ armbands whilst playing in a country that executes homosexuals.
That’s a good point.
Fifa just gave them a world cup to host.
Despite all the difficulties and learnings from the world cup in Qatar.
The $ appear to count above all else fir football administrators.
The british empire (or any colonial empire for that matters) ran all the way through the mid-20th century. And the reason many countries were liberated wasn’t because the British decided it was too immoral, but because colonies could simply no longer be maintainted (economic ruin following WWII, nationalism in the third world, rise in populations,…).
I’m against the saudi regime and was against Qatar hosting the world-cup, but let’s not pretend that first world countries are good, heck they actually support brutal regimes like Egypt, UAE, Qater and more recently HTS. When Moscow, Beijing, Berlin (in 1936), Italy (in 1934) hosted events no one brought up the brutal regime argument, because no one cares about crimes when it’s in the developped world.
touché
Yep.
The other regime that currently supports the worst genocide seen in a generation is USA
I’m guessing you missed the Islamic State, the civil war in the Sudan or that whole Hutu/Tutsi “thing.”
This man is smart, he knows football and politics. He hates Gerry so much he turns blind eye to China and Putin. America takes Greenland and Panama Canal back. Who needs to make country great again? Just censor and send to jail, its easy just like play Calabria who leaves on a free at the end of the season.
Lol! Too true.
Ha. Gold!
While I wish this game was hosted elsewhere, you’re unreal. Conceicao just got here and you expect him to snap his fingers and move us up the table without coaching any domestic games yet?
no 3 is so trueee
Momentum, momentum, momentum. This result won’t matter if we don’t beat Cagliari and Como. Win those two and then we go into the Juventus game against a club that is teetering and will play Atalanta the weekend prior and Napoli the weekend after. After Juve we’re home to Parma and then take on Inter, again at home.
If we win all of our Serie A games going into the derby I think our season will have taken a 180 turn. Then if we win the derby, mamma mia! It would be 3-0-0 against Inter and 2-1-0 against Juventus for the season. It will be downhill from there to 4th, with most of the remaining “hard” games against rivals for 4th being at home (with the notable exception of Napoli away).
I don’t know why folk get triggered when someone puts Emerson above Calabria and call him our best RB. Leave them to their opinion. Around 80% of actual experts around the game share an opinion that he’s just bad and that’s enough.
On Sergio, I think he came just the right time. I don’t think he would have such a positive impact on the team if he would replace Pioli in the summer. Some key players held Pioli in high regards and were disappointed with his departure. Fonzy just happened to encounter grudged players and didn’t know how to turn things around.
Hope the lads can keep this momentum. Atmosphere seems great and positive. Players now resemble an actual team. I can finally say I’m looking forward to the remainder of this season under Sergio.
“I don’t know why folk get triggered when someone puts Emerson above Calabria and call him our best RB. Leave them to their opinion. Around 80% of actual experts around the game share an opinion that he’s just bad and that’s enough.”
No one argues that Emerson is bad.
The argument is that as bad as he is, he is still better than Calabria.
Also, as @K says up top, 2 different coaches this season prefer playing Emerson over Calabria.
Since you like percentages so much, that makes 100% of our coaches share the opinion that Emerson is better than Calabria.
Exactly. Emerson is bad. Everyone agrees with that. The problem is Calabria is bad too. And line you said both coaches are picking Emerson so they must think he’s the better bad option. Again everyone thinks Emerson is bad!
“Also, as @K says up top, 2 different coaches this season prefer playing Emerson over Calabria.
Since you like percentages so much, that makes 100% of our coaches share the opinion that Emerson is better than Calabria.”
It does not mean both coaches think Emerson is better. Here, I’ll quote @SFJ who replied perfectly to @K:
“Fonseca played him because he was brought in for him specifically…
Conceicao has played him as he has had a matter of days to prepare and was never going to make drastic changes. Also Calabria has not been fully fit.”
“On Sergio, I think he came just the right time. I don’t think he would have such a positive impact on the team if he would replace Pioli in the summer” didn’t think of it this way but I see where you’re going with it. Almost like an adjustment period of sorts. That being said, Fonsy still wasn’t IT
Hiring Fonzy was a disaster and we were saying it from the start.
1. Puli is absolutely and undeniably a clutch player for Milan. If not more than, then as much as Leao. Comes up with goals and assists in crucial games for Milan. What a fantastic signing he has been.
2. Conceicao’s mentality is what was needed in the summer, not Fonseca’s “I haven’t won anything but I’m gonna reprimand the players who have” attitude. Fonseca didn’t have the depth or experience or the right approach.
3. Emerson is low hanging fruit. Poor b@st@rd tries his hardest every time and puts in the efforts but he is clumsy AF and messes up everything he touches. All heart, zero skill.
4. SuperCoppa isn’t the pinnacle of trophies, and frankly I don’t even care for it. But what I do care for is the statement that this Milan made. The grit and hunger they showed. The composure and the fight to battle back from deficits to beat strong opposition. To do what they hadn’t done since 2004 – that is to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Inter and comeback to win the game.
That turnaround to me is worth more than any trophy and hopefully they can maintain it and carry that forward to claw our way back up the table. This grit, this battle and attitude has to once again be the absolute bare minimum for any player lucky enough to wear our colors.
FORZA MILAN ⚫️🔴
#3 is the perfect way to describe Emerson. Tries hard but is clumsy and often gets embarrassed on the pitch. Personally I don’t know who is the better option between Royal and Calabria. RB is the biggest nerd in the January window.
Need
I prefer we buy an actual attacking midfielder. That is if we play 4231 instead of 433.
Well said
1. Many great coaches have a blind spot for average or poor players.
2. As the cowards clearly know, Calabria has been injured. He’s had 3 separate injuries and hadn’t been available for selection until November.
3. Emerson is going to be given chances to justify the investment.
4. Anyone who watches European football knows he’s dog s*it. There’s no comparison to be made with Calabria. Calabria at least has had excellent performances against strong opponents e.g. Krava. He was solid enough in our scudetto winning season, he scored twice and made 3 assists, in 26 games. He wasn’t really a weak link.
5. Emerson has never had a great match. He’s consistently among the lowest rated players, both for Milan and when he was at Spurs.
To be fair, I remember Emerson actually having a great match, once. I don’t remember against whom, but I remember being surprised and rating him high, after that match; I’m just blanking on who the adversary was.
As for your #3, I think he’s been given enough chances. I think he has proven almost over and over that he isn’t a very mediocre, very limited player.
We don’t have a great option for RB, so I think Conceição should put pressure on management to sell Emerson and get us a decent RB.
Exactly. Emerson was nothing special even in Barcelona. They were desperate to offload him.
Calabria ignited our offensive action for the winning goal with his diagonal run to pull Inter player away and open space for Pulisic’s pass to Leao.
Thank you captain.
This is the most desperate, delusional comment I have ever seen.
The one thing I learnt was the useless f_[kers that run serie a, were too hopeless to actually sell the rights to show the Supercoppa to anyone servicing Australia.
So I was unable to watch any of the matches (currently the same situation with the Coppa Italia) properly.
So other than watching a few highlights and reading other people’s opinions; I learned nothing!
And missed seeing one of our few cup wins since the UCL 07.
The team of people selling international rights for Italian football are as incompetent as Gerry and Co
The Chelsea attacker repeatedly eluded and frustrated a physical Portuguese defence
Christian Pulisic drew more fouls on Tuesday for Chelsea than anyone has in the Champions League since 2011, winning 11 free kicks in a 1-0 defeat that still saw the Blues move past Porto on aggregate.
The last player to reach that mark in the competition was Lionel Messi against Real Madrid in a semi-final victory a decade ago.
Who was Porto’s Coach for this game???????Sergio Conceica
Sérgio Conceição
Another former Porto player, Sérgio Conceição, was hired in June 2017. His team won the 2017–18 Primeira Liga, the club’s first honour for five years. He set the record for most games as manager of Porto, winning eleven honours including three league titles and the double in 2019–20 and 2021–22.
List of FC Porto managers – Wikipedia
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Wikipedia
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Sérgio Conceição