The North Star is his Porto from the 2022-23 season. Sergio Conceição did not manage to win the league, but with nine matches to go, he was 10 points behind league-leading Benfica and eventually closed the gap to just -2. How? By putting together an incredible nine out of nine, 27 points in a row without leaving anything to his opponents.
In addition, on June 4, 2023, Conceição also lifted the Taça de Portugal (the national cup), defeating Braga 2-0 in the final. Now, if his Milan were to replicate a similar streak, a fourth-place finish, which guarantees Champions League qualification, would be possible—perhaps even probable. And if he were to add the cherry on top by bringing home the Coppa Italia… But Italy is not Portugal. And the mission will certainly be more complicated.
Milan, a sprint under Conceicao is needed...
Beyond the level of competition, Conceição has often been able to accelerate near the finish line. A bit like those sprinters in cycling who thrive in the final sprint. This was evident in the three league titles he won with Porto (2017-18, 2019-20, and 2021-22). But not only that: except for last season (2023-24), as Porto’s coach, Sergio always managed to collect at least 22 points in the final nine matchdays, never worsening his position in the standings. When he was first, he held onto first place; when he wasn’t, he never dropped below where he already stood. And in four out of seven seasons, he also managed to lift the Portuguese Cup. A clear sign that his teams finished strong, never running out of fuel. The hope is that the same happens with Milan, and the last two comeback victories in the second half against Lecce and Como could reinforce the idea that the Rossoneri are improving physically. Without European competitions, Conceição will have more time to work with the squad—something he has repeatedly expressed as a need. If one wants to be optimistic and picture Milan reaching the Coppa Italia final in Rome on May 14, there would be barely three weeks of a packed schedule. Of course, the two legs of the derby against Inter in the semifinals won’t be easy, especially on a mental level. Between the chase for the Champions League and the battles with the Nerazzurri, the Portuguese coach is playing his last chances to convince Milan’s management to keep him on the bench for next season.
Mission impossible? No. But very, very complicated.
Pressures
Conceição also has to cope with an environment he has known for less than four months, where the pressures are not comparable to those at Porto—except perhaps last season, when the club’s presidential elections foreshadowed stormy winds, which indeed materialized. But Milan is Milan, and Milan is Milan.
"After winning the Supercoppa against Inter, we drew against Cagliari due to an individual mistake, which can happen. Since then, new coaches have been linked to the club every day," Sergio complained last week at the 'Coimbra Football Congress 2025'.
As if the team’s rollercoaster results weren’t already enough to keep him up at night, now the ghosts of Allegri & Co. are giving him chills. Conceição won’t be able to call the Ghostbusters. The only way to chase away the ghosts is… to win. Win as much as possible, at least. Looking on the bright side, the Portuguese coach has nothing to lose. He has already won a trophy with Milan (the Supercoppa), has the chance to add a second with the Coppa Italia, and when he arrived on December 30, Milan was already outside the European spots. Even if he isn’t confirmed, few could point to him as the sole culprit of failure.
Source: Gazzetta dello Sport
