Di Canio accuses Milan players of lacking ‘work ethic’ after Calabria-Conceiçao clash | OneFootball

Former West Ham star Paolo Di Canio was harshly critical towards Milan players, suggesting the tension which led to a heated confrontation between coach Sergio Conceiçao and Davide Calabria was created by a lack of ‘work ethic’ in the locker room.

The 56-year-old, now a pundit for Sky Sport Italia, commented on the rumours according to which some senior Rossoneri players attended a concert two days before their home clash against Parma, claiming they showed ‘no sense of respect’ considering the delicate situation they are currently going through.

epa11854711 Milan’s head coach Sergio Conceicao celebrates winning the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Parma Calcio, in Milan, Italy, 26 January 2025. EPA-EFE/MATTEO BAZZI

The club hired Conceiçao in late December to replace Paulo Fonseca and bounce back from a troubled start to the season, and Di Canio was firm in saying the attitude of the players has been unacceptable, adding that ‘these things don’t happen’ at clubs like Inter and Napoli now.

Di Canio: ‘No sense of work ethic’ at Milan, these things ‘don’t happen’ at Napoli and Inter

“There is no sense of work ethic, in Inter and Napoli these things don’t happen,” Di Canio said during TV show ‘Sky Calcio Club’.

“A ban on going out? Oh, you’re talking about Milan, not some small-time club. A team with history, honor, and respect. We’re getting used to decay. Everyone’s doing it this way, they’re modern.

“But that’s not the case, it doesn’t change the judgment on work ethic. Milan players go out. Inter players certainly don’t, because they’ve become serious.

“Let’s see if Napoli players go out now. You don’t hear these stories about Inter, and you don’t hear them about Napoli either, not anymore.

“It’s not about things changing or young players… Enough with this nonsense. See if the current Napoli players go out on a Friday night until 2 AM. I have my own work ethic.”

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 11: Davide Calabria of AC Milan reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Cagliari at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 11, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The Diavolo went behind twice against Parma, only to complete a late comeback and eventually earn a 3-2 win, and Di Canio was annoyed by the fact that players were said to have spent a night out in the build up to a ‘crucial match’.

“But how can any coach accept something like this?,” he continued.

“Milan win against Como and the next day they celebrated Emerson Royal’s birthday, just two days before the match with Juventus, with guests arriving at midnight, so I doubt they went to bed early.

“Apart from the questionable taste in their clothing… Then, two days before a crucial match, you go to a Lazza concert? That’s serious, it means there’s absolutely no sense of respect, which should be there even in Serie C and Serie D. There’s a lack of work ethic and discipline, a lack of decency.”