Speaking to the media today ahead of Genoa - Milan match is the Rossoneri coach, Sergio Conceicao.
Here's what he said in the press conference:
"The discussion I’ve had up to now is that we think one game at a time, improving what we think needs to be improved, trying to be a stronger team with each passing day. We think about Genoa tomorrow and then about the two against Bologna."
You’ve found a lineup that gives you guarantees. And How is Luka Jovic?
"This continuity and consistency that we must have in the team with the new system, we work day by day on this: defensively, offensively, in terms of balance. The players are starting to understand better what we want in the team’s dynamics. Then there are setbacks, maybe something could come up for tomorrow as happened with Jovic in Venice. My feeling is that everyone is important, I count on everyone. They are prepared to play, confidence for all. Jovic is better, he has done three training sessions with us. Abraham stopped due to a physical issue: him, Bondo, and Sottil."
Will you manage yourselves in Serie A for the Coppa Italia?
"I don’t have to manage anything. Every day that we come to work here, there is the responsibility of working for a club like Milan. The league is what it is, but we have the responsibility to show quality every day, to be a different team from what we’ve sometimes been in the league. That’s what we’re working on. The management that other coaches do means nothing to me. I respect Capello a lot, he has his own thoughts and I have mine. We don’t manage anything, and then the match isn’t just about the 11 who start. We think one game at a time, that’s our mindset."
Have Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao returned to their forms?
"The quality of Milan’s players is recognized by everyone. What’s needed is consistency. But we’re talking about two players who have already proven themselves and have already won a Scudetto with Milan: they are two of the best in the world. Sometimes things don’t go as they should, but what counts is the moment: they’re doing well, I count on them just like I do on all the others."
Kyle Walker as a right-sided center-back or a wide midfielder?
"He can play both positions. It’s a good solution that he knows both roles. He’s physically well, and he’s available like the others to help the team."
Right now, who between Santiago Gimenez and Luka Jovic?
"They both have great qualities. Then it's up to me to decide who should play, or if they should play together. It depends on the situation. They have interesting qualities for the team and are different from each other. We trust them. In football, everything can change at any moment. We look at matches day by day, and we’ll see what happens tomorrow night. I do know who’s going to play, but I’m not saying it now."
Conceicao, what is the ideal role of Alex Jimenez?
"He has quality. He needs to improve in terms of focus and consistency. He’s a young guy and, like all young players, he needs to improve in that area. Technically and tactically, he understands the game. He’s a good player and must continue his path and grow every day—not only in training but also off the pitch, to become a top-level professional."
What is the best role for Ruben Loftus-Cheek?
"He’s very capable. In my opinion, he was born to be a box-to-box midfielder. Then it depends on the match, on the strategy. Physically, he’s strong, gets into the opponent’s box well, and is technically very good. He’s improving every day, and we’re counting on him for this final stretch."
How do you keep clean sheets away from home?
"You have to work at it. It’s not just about the system. It’s a team effort, we’re working on this to maintain consistency at this level. Offensively, the team has shown in every match that it can create a lot. But we’ve lacked balance and defensive solidity. We’re working on all of that. It’s important not just from a team standpoint but also in terms of individual errors, mistakes that cannot be made at the highest level. In the end, our job is to improve the team."
Is there regret, anger, or disappointment about the Serie A standings? Conceicao answered:
"Yes, to all of it."
