Sergio Conceição spoke to DAZN at the end of Roma-Milan 3-1. His statements:
Nervous Milan?
"The environment, as you understand, is not easy after losing a final, where in that final there were episodes and details, but not only in the final, throughout the whole year, that didn’t go our way, that were always negative for us, due to our mistakes or those of others. Today's AVAR is the same VAR from the Bologna match. Against Bologna, there was the same elbow on Gabbia and VAR didn’t call the referee. And we’re talking about a title, a place in Europe—I’m not saying we would have won with that red card, but these are episodes and details that become hard to endure. Playing in Rome a difficult and balanced match after a sending-off is not easy. We tried to give our all, there’s nothing to say about that. In the first half, then, Roma didn’t even touch the ball. I was confident—we could have even won this match. The second goal again came from a dead ball situation; you can’t concede goals like that. We had two chances to equalize with Jovic and Leao, then you concede the third because you’re out of gas after playing almost the entire match 10 against 11."
Are you looking forward to clarifying things with the club at the end of the season? Conceicao replied:
"That’s true. Everyone has to think and make an assessment of what their work has been. I’m very demanding with myself, I’m at Milanello every day working. I will evaluate what’s been done. Before the match, I was curious to see the numbers, and since I arrived here with my staff, before the match we were in the Champions League zone. I’m not saying it’s been a good season or five perfect months—absolutely not. But there have also been positive things. We won a title, we reached a final where we could have done more—it’s true. I think in the key matches it always came down to details or individual errors… In Zagreb, a red card; against Feyenoord, another red card… These are matches that then create an environment that’s already not easy… Then with all these episodes. It’s been a year that hasn’t gone well for a historic club like Milan. Everyone needs to evaluate their own work."
Are you sorry you won’t be able to say goodbye to San Siro next week?
"I’ve always lived this profession with passion. In the end, whether I say goodbye or not… Right now, it’s also difficult… I’m close to my boys and my players. For a word—I practically said nothing… Just to respect the players who were on the field giving their all, and we are Milan. The foul on Koné before the second goal wasn’t there, while the foul on Sottil in the box was. It’s easy to see. I’ve been in professional football for 25 years. All these incidents are not easy. I’m a passionate football man in a very active way, and I’m sorry not to be close to the players. As for saying goodbye or not, I think we’re all in a moment where we still need to be united as an environment. A tough season, but we are here also to take full responsibility."
