Mazzara: Conceicao finds ‘mentality problems’ as summer mistakes have ‘repercussions’ | OneFootball

Sergio Conceicao’s strong words after the draw against Cagliari have made the headlines, and Pietro Mazzara believes he has realised something early on.

Following the Supercoppa Italiana heroics in Saudi Arabia, Milan returned home with a simple task: win to begin a climb towards the Champions League places. The fact Lazio and Juventus had dropped points prior in the round also provided a chance to close the gap.

However, the Rossoneri once again faltered against a side they should be beating comfortably, with respect to Cagliari. Alvaro Morata got the opener but some slack defending and goalkeeping allowed the visitors to respond four minutes later.

A draw was the end result, much to the dissatisfaction of the home crowd. Mazzara spoke in his weekly column published on MilanNews and he revisited the comments that Conceicao made after dropping points in his home debut to a team inside the bottom three places.

“Sergio Conceiçao’s words in the post Milan-Cagliari were eloquent. The Rossoneri coach defined the first half of Saturday night’s match as the worst of a team since he’s been coaching. Translated: the team’s mentality problems are much more deep-rooted than one might expect,” he said.

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“It would take more time to wake up from the torpor into which Milan falls against opponents considered to be of medium-low caliber and against whom, punctually, the Rossoneri struggle regardless of who is on the bench.

“Tomorrow’s match against Como does not allow for any other results than victory, because they need to get back to winning immediately in the league to look at that fourth place which is of vital importance for Milan’s entire journey.

“The summer mistakes are having repercussions on the winter and the January transfer market, more than ever this year, must be a concrete attempt to put things right and then, in the summer, intervene massively on the macro problems that Milan has had for years.

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“Marcus Rashford could be a top-level signing who could bring a type of striker that is lacking today, but the real, big and expensive gap in this team is the striker. It is no longer something that can be delegated, postponed, the purchase of a top centre-forward, Milan-worthy.

“Morata can be a valid alternative to the first striker or be an important support, but he does not have the killer instinct that is needed. It is not possible that Milan, for years, has not had a striker who can go above 15 goals in the league.

“The first strikers are expensive, it is true, and they cost more than 25 million. No one has the crystal ball, let it be clear, but that is where a lot of investment will have to be made in the summer.”