Thursday night had been animated by the spokesperson case, while yesterday was calmer, dedicated to the pre-match retreat; today’s mood is uncertain: Sergio Conceição's attitude changes based on what happens around him and the team, and Milan today is particularly unpredictable.
It’s impossible to make predictions about the late afternoon match: will it be the Milan capable of overturning Juventus and Inter in the Supercoppa, or the one that has lost the last three consecutive games?
The answer to this question also holds the key to the coach's future. A victory would save him, and that's what everyone hopes for: both him and the club. Not just for the points it would add to the standings in terms of European recovery, but because the club’s hope is to finish the season without further disruptions. Once the season is over, they would then plan for the new direction. A defeat, the fourth in a row in the league and possibly the fifth overall (the Milan-Feyenoord 1-1 draw in the Champions League, which led to elimination, was heavier than a loss on the field), could mark the end of his experience with the Rossoneri. It would be a very bitter ending after a sweet start: the Arab triumph in Riyadh and a good league start. Then came the first stumbles and eventually, the dramatic falls in both the cup and Serie A.
Sergio Conceicao still believes he can recover, and indeed he works with the same intensity as in the early days.
He also believes he is in an unusual situation, one he’s never experienced before in his career.
And indeed, some situations are more unique than rare, like the most recent one involving his now former spokesperson: without the coach’s knowledge, he had spread critical messages—which supposedly reflected the coach’s thoughts—about the team, the club, the market, and even Milanello. “I don’t understand why he did it, I don’t know if he was paid by someone. He did it out of malice, I’m sorry for everyone. He will answer for it in the legal arenas.” Meanwhile, Francisco Empis, the former collaborator, had already issued public apologies and resigned.
Now, it's the fate of Conceição’s Milan that matters: in Lecce, the direction could be set, and it could be definitive. If they win, Sergio stays; if not, a new path will have to be taken. While the club awaits to finalize talks with Allegri, Tassotti, his former assistant at Milan from 2011 to January 2014, could sit on the bench. Tasso is currently part of Oddo’s staff at Milan Futuro, but this would be a jump to the senior team, and then a collaboration with Max, just like in the past. Conceição, an ex-midfielder and a coach of character and tenacity, will do everything he can not to give up. "In training, everyone has given me a good response. We need to push away this negativity with results. And to get results, we must work to the maximum and also have a bit more luck. I’m the first one who doesn’t want to lose. I would be a masochist to think about putting a team on the field that I don’t believe is the best to win. No one signed up to always play here; those who give me more guarantees will play." Will the leaders pay tomorrow? “I am the leader; I’m the one who pays.”
Will the bill be presented today?
No, with a convincing victory and a team that shows the same commitment and application as the coach.
"All players must behave like soldiers; I am finding it difficult to get this message across." Sergio succeeded in Porto with a team that was less technical but more aggressive. At Milan, he found a quality group but one that is too lacking in hunger. It’s hard to imagine Theo (who may still have a chance to start today despite not being at his best) or Leao marching forward, but not in such a rebellious attitude. Conceição ends with a hope: “We have thirteen matches left to play, eleven in the league and two in the Coppa Italia. Inzaghi said they can win three trophies; we, two, despite this negative season.”
Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport
