“Not an Easy Moment”: AC Milan Coach Sergio Conceicao Concerned About the Negative Atmosphere
Italian football has always been well known for its immense fan support. AC Milan fans have one of the biggest, passionate and outspoken fanbases in the world. Over the years, AC Milan have been quite inconsistent often even failing to contend for the Serie A title and at times even failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. Even now in the 2024-2025 season, they are struggling to perform consistently.
The Rossoneri’s fans are not happy with their performances and are throwing outrage, particularly in the form of protests. AC Milan faced insults from their fans especially the Ultras and the Curva Sud section of the stadium was left empty.
When the fans did return, the situation worsened because Lazio scored a goal in the 28th minute and AC Milan coach Sergio Conceicao made a change to sub off Musah and bring on Joao Felix which angered the fans more since they thought of it as a panic decision.
AC Milan were winless in their last two league games before facing Lazio that too at their home stadium San Siro. Lazio player Zaccagni scored the first goal in the 28th minute to make the score 1-0 after which AC Milan responded late into the game with Samuel Chukwueze scoring the equalizer in the 86th minute.
However, the team’s efforts were futile since a bit of a controversial penalty was given to Lazio in the 98th minute which they converted gladly to secure the much-needed three points in Serie A. This put Lazio in fourth place with 50 points whereas AC Milan are ninth with 41 points.
Sergio Conceicao’s Thoughts
Upon being asked by DAZN “What is your mood? Can you still give something to this group?” Sergio Conceicao said that
“The moment is not easy at all, we know that. The players feel what is going on around the club. There is only one way: to work and have the maximum pride for these colours that we defend, giving our all every day to change the situation.
“There are also episodes that happen during the match, negative for us and decisive for the opponent, but I don’t want to talk about bad luck.”
The next question was “Why does a team with its back to the wall have such a difficult approach?” Sergio Conceicao said that
“We always talk about the same thing. We prepared for the match in a very short time, we talked about this atmosphere and it was strange: the first time it happened to me in my career. The players feel it: I was a player and we know that when it’s like this the boots are hot.
“It’s not easy: when a dribble, a pass and the opponent scores a goal… The team showed great character when they were left with ten men, we could have even won. In the end, this penalty happened.”
“The players give me positive answers. One thing is between us in training, after it is entering a difficult situation that has been there since the beginning of the season. We try to work on this too, not only on a tactical and physical level.”
The last question was, “One thing: running backwards. When they have to go forward, some players go fast, but when they have to go backwards, why do they never get to that speed?” Sergio Conceicao explained.
“Very important. We are working on that too. Now the game is played with the ball to try to dismantle the opponent’s defensive organisation and when you don’t have the ball you have to have the same availability: sometimes we struggle on this point.
“It’s all related: if you are strong in defensive transitions, you are also strong when you attack. I think some players are good technically and can make a difference on an attacking level but they have to get it into their heads that they are important for the team in defence too.”
“We need to find an important balance to win games because we have the technical qualities.”
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