AC Milan's head coach, Sergio Conceicao, shared his thoughts in view of the awaited derby fixture against Inter which is set to take place tomorrow.
Here are his words to the media in a press conference at Milanello:
"The balance is important, analyzing the opponent's strengths and maintaining organizational stability. I also faced them in the Champions League with Porto, and they haven’t changed much. The players know each other very well, the coach remains the same. This familiarity is a big advantage for them. We need to understand what we can do to counter this style of play and identify their weaknesses, which, like every team in the world, they have."
It's a delicate moment, especially during the transfer market window... Conceicao commented:
"A very interesting question because during this open transfer window period, I’ve already said that it stays open for too long, one month. Even mentally, it stirs emotions. We don’t want that; we know what we need to do. We are working on our playing style, which is what interests me. I read a lot of lies, and they bother me, I don’t like them. I’m here every 3-4 days, if you have any doubts, I’ll answer you, it’s not a problem. But lies hurt. Players today are on social media all the time, and it’s not easy to manage a group in this transfer window, with all the news and the hard work we need to do on the pitch. Sometimes, I find myself dealing with things that aren’t my responsibility, but I have to handle them because only by keeping my group at the highest level can I win."
Are you referring to the rumours about players repeatedly asking to leave?
"I won’t talk about these things, they are part of the group. We have to focus on working in the best way possible to put in a great performance tomorrow and win. We know this is a delicate period; there’s a lot of talk about the transfer market and other things. When there’s a negative result, even more so. I know it, I understand it. You never see me angry when you say the team isn’t playing well because I respect that, it’s part of your job. I change your opinion by winning matches. Other things are beyond my control. Does it interfere? Yes, it’s something that comes from outside and isn’t the truth. What matters to me is talking about Simone Inzaghi, their 3-5-2, how they play with and without the ball. That’s what our work has been about.
On Santiago Gimenez and Fikayo Tomori:
"I can't talk about Gimenez because it's not official yet. Do I like him? (laughs). Tomori? I count on all my players. There are about ten players who left Porto on a free transfer with me and played until the last second. Are we talking about the transfer market? If Tomori has to play tomorrow, he will play. I trust everyone."
Is a revolution necessary? Does Milan need a new identity?
"Changing one or two players isn't much. I understand your curiosity, and I also get why you're talking about this, because it's better to discuss this than Taremi or Lautaro from Inter. Drawing these kinds of conclusions before Milan-Inter, a match watched by the whole world, where we need to improve a lot, and with so many things on my mind... Drawing conclusions about the transfer market now, if you want to talk about it in another press conference at another time, I will."
After the Supercoppa victory, did you expect these significant difficulties to continue? Conceicao replied:
"Every coach wants perfection. Here, we need to work to establish the foundation. As a coach, I always have my bags packed, coaches are like that. After I left Porto, I could have earned ten times more than at Milan, but I came here because I believe something important can be achieved. This is one of the worst moments in Milan's history, and I am aware of that. And this awareness is the foundation for starting to work."
How are Matteo Gabbia and Malick Thiaw? How did you see Kyle Walker? Have you chosen the striker for tomorrow?
"Walker is fine, he's working well, physically he's in good shape. He's an option for tomorrow. Malick returned today; he had his first training session today. He’s not in optimal physical condition. Matteo came off in Zagreb due to a strong knock to the calf, not because of the mistake. They are available for tomorrow, though Thiaw is not at his best. If we need a hand, he's ready. As for the attack, we'll see."
Is it really necessary to always be on the verge of a nervous breakdown? Besides a solid foundation, wouldn’t Milan also benefit from a bit of serenity in its relationships?
"People tend to confuse tranquility with passion. This is just who I am. When I come here before a match, I’m not pretending. I experience the game with passion and emotion, but that doesn’t mean I’m always angry. This is my nature—I’m 50 years old, and I don’t know if I can change. I’m convinced that we’ve worked to play a good match tomorrow, and I’m calm about that, but I’m passionate. That’s just my character. There’s no nervousness; it’s simply the way I am. Even if we win 4-0, I’ll still be there gesturing, being myself."
Simone Inzaghi keeps complaining about the foul on Kristjan Asllani... Conceicao said:
"I don’t have to say anything, that’s his opinion, and mine is different. The match is over, and it’s not important now to go back to a hypothetical foul in midfield that led to the goal. He has his reasons and his views. I’ve also complained to referees at times. It happens. We shouldn’t reduce the entire match to this one incident because that wouldn’t be fair."
Are you more concerned about Inter or Milan’s attitude tomorrow?
"I’m always more concerned about what we do. Of course, we analyze the opponent, who has many strengths and some weaknesses. There are strategic situations to watch out for, but our main focus is on ourselves."
Why is Alvaro Morata leaving?
"I talk to the players every day. You know that, given the little time we have to work on the pitch, we talk a lot. I spoke to Álvaro yesterday, together with all his teammates. The transfer market is what it is. Like in marriages, the groom, the bride, and even the priest all have to be willing. I don’t know if you get the idea, it’s kind of like that."
Tomorrow, Youssouf Fofana will not be available. Who can do his job?
"I would have liked to have everyone available, of course. Someone else will play, I have confidence in everyone. It’s also good for you, since you were always talking about when Fofana would get some rest. Someone else will play."
At Inter, there is a calm atmosphere. The only lingering note is the desire for revenge after the Supercoppa final. At Milan, on the other hand, there is some tension in the air. Which of these two situations will ultimately lead to a better performance on the pitch? Conceicao responded in the following way:
"At this level, there is no favorite just because the atmosphere is better or worse. These matches take on a life of their own when the referee blows the whistle. It would have been better if the transfer market wasn’t happening, but that’s not possible—we have to focus on what we can do. We have to bring the game to life; it's the players who step onto the pitch, and each match has its own story. The Supercoppa is in the past; this will be a different game."
