AC Milan's head coach, Sergio Conceicao, speaks to the media in a press conference ahead of the match against Udinese which is set to take place tomorrow at the 'Bluenergy' stadium ( on April 11, 2025).
Here's what he said when he was asked about what needs to be done to maintain from the start the best of what was shown in the last two matches:
"We have to understand that matches are won from the first to the last minute. This focus is important, and we talked about it among ourselves. It’s nothing new. It’s true that afterward we reacted well, very well, but we need to be careful and focused from the beginning of the match and concentrate on something important that has happened, not just once this year. But I think we had a good week, I’m happy with the training sessions. I got responses, good feelings. Let’s hope tomorrow’s match reflects this week of work."
When you look at the standings, what do you look at?
"I think we have to look every day to work and improve. And then we have to look at tomorrow, focus on that and not think too far ahead, about what will happen, what there is to take, what to conquer. There are 3 important points to be conquered in Udine."
Conceicao, why so many changes at halftime and during the match?
"It seems like a contradiction, but I don’t want to put players in and then remove them after half an hour. It also depends on the opponents. I try to manage it, to make changes, to help the guys on the field."
About what happened last year in Udine...
"We all think the same way. I think that by talking about it, we underline something unpleasant. Mike has to focus on the match, while the fans should support their team. We’re not worried, nor is Mike. If things like that happen again, the competent authorities will deal with it."
Conceicao on the idea of changing formation and how to replace the injured Kyle Walker
"This week a couple of things happened that are not under control. But we have to control the team by preparing it in the best way. I’m not completely satisfied. There’s also a lot in the plan about starting the match strongly, and we’re working on that, as well as on different dynamics for the team. Walker had surgery, we don’t know how long he’ll be out. He won’t play, but certainly another player will."
Have you thought about starting Jovic?
"Honestly, right now to play with a 4-4-2 we are not yet a team that’s ready, we are not yet balanced with two forwards, Rafa and Theo who attack a lot. We are working to get there, also because having two strikers doesn’t necessarily mean you are more offensive. It depends on what you ask of the midfielders and full-backs. Luka likes to play, in the first 6 months he had injuries that didn’t allow him to. With me he’s had his minutes, and at this moment he is a player who gives us something, just like all the others."
Have you worked on playing out from the back? Is Santiago Gimenez recovered?
"Santi is not recovered. Before the Fiorentina match we worked on building from the back, and we did it this week as well."
Can Alessandro Florenzi still be useful in this final part of the season? Conceicao replied:
"We have to manage Alessandro carefully because he’s a guy with a fantastic spirit. He doesn’t train all week. I’m sorry because he’s a player with a great mentality, he’s a very important team player. I hope that with time he will be in a different condition to help the team."
Is it possible to imagine a Milan that sits deeper, even against less strong teams?
"It also depends on the opponent’s moment. And here in Italy, practically all teams defend man-to-man, but then it also depends on their build-up, the midfielders—who is lower, who is not. I don’t think like that, because a match is made up of different moments, then it’s up to us to be good at reading the opponents and attacking accordingly."
Do you think you've found the key to rebooting the team?
"I don't like matches where you can score 7 goals and concede 5. I prefer to win 1-0, with solidity, with compactness. We are working on this, on the entries onto the pitch, on the consistency we need to have throughout the match."
