AC Milan had a good past week as they racked up wins in the Coppa Italia and in Serie A, but now Sergio Conceicao wants to see a key quality from his side: consistency.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) report this morning, the goals from Rafael Leao and Santiago Gimenez in the Empoli victory got the fans excited, but Conceiçao was also happy (and above all) with the zero conceded.
The former Porto coach, who has been calling for balance in the team since his arrival, knows that by continuing to concede goals at the rate Milan have been it will be difficult to climb up the table and qualify for the next Champions League.
Sergio doesn’t have much time to work, with a match every three days, but in the sessions at Milanello he insists a lot on the help that everyone must give in the non-possession phase and pays almost more attention to these latter situations than to the attacking schemes.
This is also because he knows that – after the reinforcements in attack that arrived in January – the main problem to be solved is related to too many goals against. With just two clean sheets in 11 games since taking over and one in the league (at the sixth attempt) there is obviously work to be done.
Conceiçao insists a lot on the attention that everyone must pay in the non-possession phase, playing a bit deeper and perhaps pressing a bit less aggressively, or more efficiently. The purchase of Kyle Walker is undoubtedly giving him a hand in this sense, too.
The former Manchester City captain guarantees more coverage on the right flank, with Emerson Royal or Davide Calabria (often) the real Achilles’ heel of the defensive phase. He also brings leadership to the pitch, such as when he gave instructions to Yunus Musah in the Empoli game who slotted in at right-back.
In this respect he is the best ‘ally’ for Conceiçao, who can be pleased that his side have scored five and conceded one over the last 180 minutes. The Rotterdam trip will provide important answers and make it clear where the Rossoneri are at.
Defence is the basis for building a team that can challenge for titles. Napoli scored 39 conceded 17, not far off from our 35-24, yet they’re first and we’re 8th. Such are the fine margins (ofc other factors come into play eg Napoli play once a week etc). But their defence has allowed them to win games they otherwise would have drawn or lost. And these 2 or 3 points here and there matters
i mean defense wins championships. We are improving, Walker has helped but i understand, playing every 3 days leaves little room for Conceicao to instill new tactics. I think Bondo will also help.
I’m worried about getting overrun in transition with the Fanta4 starting up front … Yea Chris tracks back more than the others, but still.
I always say that for a good defense it is necessary to have all 5 top player guys at the back. If one is not average (Rojal, Clabriija) than your defense is average.
Whatever the case, Conceicao should keep RLC away from the attack.