AC Milan's head coach, Sergio Conceicao, has spoken to the media in a press conference ahead of tomorrow's match in the Champions League against Girona.
Here's what he had to say:
You, who know the Champions League well, is it a coincidence that Milan is performing better in Europe than in Serie A?
"I think every match is different. It’s true that being in the best club competition in the world is always an enormous motivation. Great teams like Milan must work every year to be part of it. In the league, we’re working to find the right consistency to ensure we qualify again at the end of the season. With Porto, it was a tremendous source of pride for seven years. Now we’re striving to bring Milan to an advanced position in this competition, as our history demands. Tomorrow is very important for moving forward."
You’ve often emphasized Milan’s history. Do you think it could weigh on the minds of your players? Did you notice anything unusual in the atmosphere while preparing for the match?
"No, it’s the same. This week, despite the limited time we had to prepare, the players were focused and determined. I told them after the Juve match that this is a mental job, and it’s my responsibility as a coach to help them find the right mindset."
Conceicao added:
"They’re showing me they’re motivated every day to work and achieve the evolution we’re aiming for. Shirts don’t play; the shirts are worn by players who need to express what we want at every level and in every competition, not just in the Champions League."
What explanation have you given yourself for the lack of consistency over the full ninety minutes?
"It’s something we’re working on; I don’t need to defend myself for what I’ve said—these are things that came from within me. The players are also aware of what needs to be done. We need to look each other in the eye, work on the pitch, believe in what we’re doing, and then they’ll understand what was missing to achieve consistency during the game. The beauty of football is that it’s a constant restart. After a good match, you have to start again to prepare for the next one, and it’s the same after a not-so-good match. This restarting is an opportunity to improve."
Have you ever had a team in your career that could only play well for one half while struggling in the other? How did you address it? Conceicao commented:
"I’ve had even worse situations, but it happens. We’re playing against opponents, you know. Even when facing theoretically weaker teams, there are moments when the opposition takes control—that’s part of football. Matches have moments, and there are many important details. The foundation, however, must not be negotiable. If we need to suffer, we suffer; if we need to defend more, we defend more. Ultimately, what matters most is the result. Did we lack something in the second half against Juve? Absolutely, yes. The players are aware that there’s work to be done to improve, and it’s essential to have this foundation to achieve the evolution we’re striving for."
What do you think this transfer window can bring to your Milan?
"When I mentioned substitutions, it wasn’t a criticism but a reality. Tomorrow, we have 12-13 first-team players, three goalkeepers, and three youngsters: Camarda, Zeroli, and Bartesaghi. This is also a message for the fans, the soul of the club: right now, it’s us here, and they need to support us; they must be the twelfth man—or rather, the first. Without them, the club doesn’t exist. Without the passion of the fans, the club doesn’t exist. I will give everything, the players will give everything, but we need their support. Tomorrow is crucial; we’re in an emergency, and we need everyone. We win together, we draw together, and we lose together. I’m not handsome, I’m not charming—fine. But right now, I’m here. The players feel the atmosphere outside. It’s important for everyone to come together. I had to say it; I feel it. I see too many divisions in a historic club. It’s Milan that suffers, not me or the players. Milan fans start as fans at one year old and remain fans for life. For me, that’s very important."
Will Pulisic be available tomorrow? Besides, you’ve spoken a lot about hunger lately, can a player like Kyle Walker bring a winning mentality to Milan? Conceicao replied:
"Christian is staying with us; we have training tomorrow morning, and we’ll see how he is. I don’t want to risk losing him for a month or two. He could be on the bench, but it’s better not to take any risks. However, he’ll stay with us in camp. As for the rest, tomorrow’s match is the most important thing."
The performance of the strikers: do you expect more from them? Are they functional to your style of play?
"As a coach and a former player, I’ve always believed that center-backs and goalkeepers are responsible for goals, just as I don’t agree when people say a striker is at fault when a team doesn’t win because they didn’t score—it's a collective process. We need to find balance. If the strikers do everything I ask, I’m fine with it because others will score. The important thing is the final result. You see the numbers, rightly so, but as a coach, I also see other things."
Conceicao, how is Strahinja Pavlovic doing? How do you consider him as a player?
"He’s available for the team. It’s not his fault that he hasn’t played yet; he’s trained well, even with incredible enthusiasm. Sometimes he strays from his position, which I don’t like too much. The choices are mine, tomorrow we have two central defenders, but I could also use a midfielder to play there."
If it’s not a matter of fatigue, what’s missing?
"It’s a coaching problem. It’s the coach’s job to explain what he wants; it’s up to me to do more, and I’m here for that."
A Milan that plays like it did in the first half against Juve for 90 minutes, or like it did against Real Madrid, can it break your record in this competition and reach at least the semifinals? Conceicao said:
"Thank you for these high expectations (laughs, ed.). It’s fair to say it that way. I came very close when I faced Chelsea and Liverpool in the quarterfinals. I have this goal of reaching beyond the quarterfinals. When, I don’t know. Can this team do it? We prepare for matches with that goal in mind. What I can say is that starting tomorrow, we’ll give our all to go as far as possible in this competition."
