Head coach Sergio Conceicao has spoken to the media in a press conference ahead of tomorrow's match against Torino away from home.
Question: is tomorrow decisive for focusing solely on the league?
"It’s an important match against a tough opponent that has only lost to Bologna in 2025. It’s a difficult away game for Milan; I’ve looked at the results from recent years. Our Champions League final is tomorrow, and every match must be approached that way," said the AC Milan coach.
How is the team doing?
"After one match, we immediately start working for the next one. I’ve already seen the group focused, even though, of course, elimination hurt everyone. We had prepared well for the match, but in football, episodes matter a lot. I always say that football is simple, but within that simplicity, there are many complex aspects. We must continue our evolution and keep working. There’s little time, also because of our own mistakes, since we could have already been in the Champions League Round of 16. We have to focus on fourth place and the Coppa Italia. Today, I saw the players in good shape."
On Theo Hernandez, Conceicao said:
"I don’t like talking about the color of his hair—for me, whether it’s black, white, or yellow, it’s all the same, as long as they are professionals and give everything. I spoke with him at the end of the match. He is an asset to the club and knows he did something that put the team in difficulty. He is available to play tomorrow."
Did you expect all these difficulties?
"You focus more on other leagues, but there’s pressure in the Portuguese league too, so I’m used to it. I know Milan’s history is extraordinary, filled with great figures among coaches, players, and executives. I have enormous respect for this history. At the moment, when you don’t win at a club of this stature, there is more talk and more fragility. I knew it would be difficult. I’m here because, for me, it’s a great challenge. I had other offers, but I chose this because I like difficult things."
Can you explain why João Félix wasn’t substituted?
"I’m the coach, and I make my choices. Giménez had some issues in recent weeks; I asked him how he was, and he told me he was tired. I could have put in another striker like Abraham or a player to provide more mobility."
How are the players?
"Walker is not available tomorrow. My choices will depend on the condition of each player. Pulisic doesn’t have 90 minutes in his legs, Giménez is improving but not yet at his best. When I arrived, several players were injured or struggling. Some, like Loftus-Cheek, haven’t returned yet. Since I’ve been here, we’ve played every three days, so managing the situation isn’t easy. With hindsight, we’re all great coaches—I win every match after the match is over."
What kind of team is Torino?
"They have very interesting players, like Ricci, for example. In their approach to every match, I always see a team eager to achieve a positive result. So, we have to be at our best. We need to take control of the match."
Is your challenge to turn this negativity into something positive?
"I’m not someone who calculates things—I don’t like thinking about the end of the season. I experience things every day with great intensity. I take work home, and my family isn’t happy about it, but that’s just how it is. I don’t always do things perfectly, but we work with great passion every day. Yesterday, we prepared today’s training session, we made videos—that’s my concern. Today marks 31 years since my mother passed away; I was 18, and I had lost my father two years before. If these football challenges are considered difficulties, then I fear nothing. So, I keep moving forward on my path."
Have the players spoken among themselves?
"I like it when they do—it’s better to say what you think. The group is growing in this regard too; it’s right to speak openly. I prefer an unpleasant truth over a pleasant lie. I like that."
A month and a half after your arrival, have you identified the team’s issues? Conceicao replied:
"Yes, we’ve discussed them with the team. We are working on these aspects."
Is the Milan you want to see the one from the first 50 minutes against Feyenoord? Can the four attackers play together?
"Yes, that’s what I want. We are improving—we’re not at our best yet, but we’re getting better. I want an aggressive team that prevents opponents from reaching our goal. I want a compact, tight-knit team. For me, we can play this way, always maintaining balance, of course."
