Sergio Conceicao, the AC Milan coach, spoke to the media in a press conference ahead of the match against Lecce.
First he commented on the rumours leaked by someone close to him that he is unhappy at Milan.
Here's what he had to say:
"I'm sorry about this situation. I don’t understand why, I don’t understand what this former collaborator has done to me, whether he was paid by someone, I don’t know. A journalist called me and sent me a screenshot of the points he was referring to. He did it out of malice, and I feel sorry for everyone, including those working here at Milan."
"We’re here every day, Zlatan and Geoff are here every day. We talk among ourselves, we talk with the team, we have discussions together... This week, we were able to work cleanly on other things with the whole group available, even Florenzi, who returned. It was the first week like this, and we did a good job, with everyone involved."
"I left Porto in an unpleasant situation, and I haven’t spoken about it until now. Imagine me being here, working, and having to discuss these delicate matters. This will be addressed in the legal venues, who paid him and why he did it."
How is your week so far?
"It was important to work with some players on different situations we had never worked on before. If we talk about desire, that’s not right—everyone should have the desire. It’s something that must always be there for those who come here to defend this shirt. In training, I see who gives me the best guarantees to start the match—everyone has given me a good response. Then, it's up to me to choose the best strategy to win a tough game."
How do you shake off this negativity?
"With results. To get results, we need two things: to work at the maximum level—we have to do much more as a team—and then, a bit of luck, which we need to improve on. Everything changes when you win. Even for me, losing three matches in a row is something new. There is no other way but to work. We must believe, take action, and work with full conviction."
How do you keep the team engaged in this season now that many sporting objectives are gone? Does tomorrow’s match take on extra importance?
"Every three days since I arrived, we’ve had decisive matches. We have 13 guaranteed games left—11 in the league and 2 in the Coppa Italia. Looking at the derby, Inzaghi said they can win three trophies; despite a negative season, we can still win two. We cannot think too far ahead, or else we forget what’s necessary to win."
Do you feel the players want to get out of this situation? Conceicao replied:
"I really do. Over these two months, I’ve had tough days in this regard, but now I’m convinced that everyone is fully engaged. When I arrived, we had an incredible 10 days with the Supercoppa, but then against Cagliari, we lost that great spirit and energy we had in Riyadh. In terms of points per game, we were behind Napoli in the league, but after Zagreb, things went badly, with many mistakes—mine and the players'. Then came the two Feyenoord matches, with unlucky episodes... I can’t separate one thing from another: Theo got a red card, but we could have scored 2-3 goals in the first half. At that moment, we were in the game, and I was convinced we would win. The red card changed the match. We lost that spirit we must never lose; otherwise, we fall into a hole we can’t climb out of."
"I know these are just words. But it hurts me, just as it hurts the fans. It hurts to be here with you and see some of you on your phones... I have great respect. Arsenal beat PSV 7-1, and that's the same Arsenal I lost to on penalties last year. It’s not like I suddenly don’t understand football anymore—I had a path before arriving here. I have to justify myself every day about why I’m Milan’s coach. There’s enormous negativity at all levels, but we have to look forward and win. I can talk, and we had a very good week in terms of work. But that doesn’t mean we’ll win 4-0 against Lecce tomorrow—though I’d love that. We must not look to the past but to the future, and the future is tomorrow."
Will some big players be left out tomorrow?
"I'm the first one who doesn’t want to lose. I’d be masochistic if I put out a team that isn’t the best to win the match. Then, there are moments within a game—there are 90-plus minutes, and managing that is part of my job.
I make decisions based on the players’ form. For example, if someone has a lot of quality but isn’t physically at his best or doesn’t give me the right feelings in training, he won’t play. It’s not like they signed a contract guaranteeing they’ll always play—whoever gives me the best guarantees plays. Will the leaders pay the price tomorrow? I am the leader, I am the one who pays."
How long until we see the Milan you envision tactically?
"We’re working on it. At this moment, I don’t want to go into specifics. Giampaolo would be happy if I did. We’re working, and this week was important for the dynamics we want both in and out of possession."
Is Gimenez in good condition, or is he still recovering from his injury? Conceicao replied:
"He’s working. He’s coming into a league that is not easy at all—Italy is different. There’s always an adaptation period; it’s absolutely normal. We haven’t stifled his qualities by putting another player next to him. We’re working on it, and he’s very focused on his work. He’s had a good week of training. I’ve seen many players come to Italy and struggle at first—look at Retegui. It’s not easy to come to Italy and immediately score 15-20 goals. He wants it, and I want it too, but he’s working."
In key moments of matches, some players do unpredictable and out-of-context things. Is this due to excessive emotion? A lack of composure?
"We try to keep the players calm in those moments. Just because things aren’t going well doesn’t mean we should react without intelligence. From the beginning of the season, the overall atmosphere hasn’t been great. We have to focus on what we can control: our performance. The players must take responsibility. There are moments when many try to take the right step, but it still doesn’t happen."
What mistakes has Sergio Conceição made?
"I’ve made mistakes, just like all coaches do. I have my personal characteristics in the principles and dynamics of a team, and I always do what I think is best. In my career, I’ve had more positive moments than negative ones. Outside the game, my staff and I have our dynamics. Respect among them, between the technical staff and the players, and between the players and those working here is important. These are things I also tell my children. On the field, this was the first full week of training I’ve had. I try to make as few mistakes as possible. An experience like this, even in difficult moments, helps you grow."
Internally, how are you experiencing this situation?
"We try to stay very focused on our work. Zlatan and Moncada are here every day doing their best for the team. We must concentrate on what we can control—outside opinions are free to judge. Some were even my coaches… Sacchi, two months ago, said I was a great coach, and now he criticizes me every day. He had great players and won; I even sent him a message, and he didn’t reply. We live in the moment—there’s great respect, but people can say whatever they want."
What have you noticed in these two months about the most prominent players who have often underperformed?
"There are two sides—me as a coach with the players and me as Sergio Conceição with Leão, Theo, and Maignan. The person and the coach are different things. Even Ancelotti said it. As people, they are great individuals. As professionals, they have ups and downs like everyone else. They have shown that at Milan, they can make a difference because they have enormous quality."
After Zagreb, you said the foundation was missing. Is it there now?
"In Zagreb, we conceded a goal that doesn’t happen often, then there was Musah’s red card, and we even equalized. The foundation I was talking about was the ambition that would take us directly to the Round of 16. Talking after a defeat... I’m passionate, I live things this way. Even when I win, I don’t have a full smile, I live it like this every day. I am like this, it’s my character. I’m 50, it’s hard to change. Even when I played with my kids, I wasn’t calm, let alone now in my professional dream, which is to be here at Milan. It’s my way of living things as a coach. This foundation is having this attitude and the desire to improve. Do I see it? Yes, clearly. Otherwise, why would I be here? It’s hard to explain. Against Lazio, the first 15 minutes were terrible, but it wasn’t tiredness. The environment was difficult for the players. I have to stay with my team, with my players, and give them joy and pleasure in a tough moment. As men and as people, sometimes we earn a little more if we think about the positive things."
What would you like to see from that Porto team of yours that you can't see here today? Conceicao replied:
"I was talking about this when I saw the Arsenal match... The solidity, the compactness of the team, even with less quality compared to the players I have today, it was fantastic. It has to be harmonious behavior, where everyone knows what we are doing to steal the ball from the opponents. All players need to behave like soldiers: I’m finding it harder to get this message across. Now we’re working with those who have played the most, we started this week. Will we see something different already tomorrow? I’m really working on this... A better Milan tomorrow? After a week? Okay, I accept the challenge (smiles, ed.)."
