In his in-depth article on Gazzetta.it, journalist Luca Bianchin, analyzed Sergio Conceição’s responsibilities in yesterday’s match against Feyenoord. While acknowledging the initial lineup as the right choice ("Conceição opted for a highly offensive Milan, left out Fofana for the first time since August, and preferred Thiaw over Tomori. In hindsight, all correct: for 50 minutes, until Theo Hernández’s red card, Milan dominated. They should have closed out the game, of course, but that is more the players' responsibility than the coach’s"), questions arise about the effectiveness of the substitutions, particularly the decision not to take off João Félix.
Does João Félix never come off under Milan coach Sergio Conceição?
Sergio wanted to sign him, brought him on in his first game against Roma, and has since consistently chosen him as a starter. João played almost the entire match against Empoli and Verona, and the full 90 minutes against Feyenoord in both legs, despite not performing at an untouchable level, especially in the last 10 days.
Yet, it is fair to think that Giménez would have been more useful in the final minutes. 'Conceição waited too long to make changes,' Fabio Capello said on Sky last night. 'He left Félix on the pitch when he had nothing left to give, writes Luca Bianchin.
