Sérgio Conceicao has spoken to the media present in Riyadh (our website's correspondent, Vito Angele is also there).
Here are his statements in the press conference:
"I found a humble team that wants to learn, that wants to understand what the coach wants now. And this is the foundation for working with quality. There has been little time to work, but we were effective in saying where the team needs to improve in various moments of the game to be competitive already tomorrow."
What does it mean to face Juventus immediately?
"The timing is what it is. Clearly, I would have wanted more days to work and more players available, but when I arrived, I already knew about this situation. So there are no excuses. Head high. We are preparing for the game to be effective, without having too much information in our heads, in an effort to try to win."
Tomorrow, you face your son... Sérgio Conceicao replied:
"I'm not emotional at all, I'm cold and have a bit of a fever. At home, I am Francisco's father, tomorrow he will be an opponent. He thinks the same way. No emotion, I want to beat him."
Better to face Juventus?
"We can only work: words don't mean anything, in these big clubs, results matter. And the result we are looking for is to win tomorrow."
Has your son grown?
"A player of quality, technique, understanding the game, the tactics being prepared. He also has physical qualities. Juventus has many players of quality, young players who work and understand what Motta wants. It's not that I want to stifle talent or quality, but we need to be compact, aggressive, and work as a team. Only this way, in my opinion, does football work."
What do you think of Fikayo Tomori? Conceicao replied:
"I haven't had time to talk about the transfer market. Tomori is available."
Vito Angelè for Milanreports asks about the last match vs Juventus at the San Siro:
"I also told the players. I saw two teams afraid of losing, there was more of that than the desire to win. There was a lot of quality and some very talented players. Tomorrow we need to have the desire to win, while also paying attention to the defensive phase."
After your words at the presentation, you were compared to Massimiliano Allegri, Antonio Conte, and Diego Simeone...
"I have great respect for all of them, but football is different for everyone. Conte, Simeone, and Allegri have already had many years at the top level. I must bring results to Milan, otherwise, talking is useless. We must react."
Injuries update?
"I'm not a doctor. There are some players who are not feeling well, some can’t play 90 minutes, others will start as starters. It’s a management that I have to do."
How did you find it here?
"We were received very kindly. We lack nothing. Thank you for the hospitality."
Is it risky to coach Milan? Conceicao answered:
"Life is like this: risks, challenges. I worked hard to get here, otherwise I would have stayed peacefully in my country. For me, it's an honor and a pride to coach a team like Milan."
How do you judge the local league?
"There are also Portuguese coaches and English players: you can feel that it is growing, you can see there is a desire."
Conceicao on responsibilities:
"The responsibilities of defending these colors are enormous, it has fans all over the world. We will try to make a good impression."
What do you think of Otavio?
"Otavio was my player for many years: he's like a son to me. And, like children, he took a lot of blows to the head and now he's my friend."
What are your intentions for the future?
"I don’t talk about my intentions, and the past is the past. There were other coaches before, now I am here: we will try to do well now to have a better future."
