Conceicao discusses mercato ‘lies’, Gimenez and ‘necessary revolution’ ahead of Inter clash

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·1 de febrero de 2025

Conceicao discusses mercato ‘lies’, Gimenez and ‘necessary revolution’ ahead of Inter clash

Sergio Conceicao is preparing for his second game against Inter in less than a month, and the AC Milan head coach stated that he is focusing on his team, rather than the opposition.

The game against Inter is huge for several reasons. Despite the season effectively being a write-off, Conceicao will still look to show that he can compete against the best teams in Italy, and a positive performance against the Nerazzurri will strengthen his own position.

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He has already seen success against Simone Inzaghi’s side in Saudi Arabia, winning the Supercoppa Italiana emphatically, and whilst he will hope for a more dominant performance than what occurred in January, he will expect the result to be the same.

It will, of course, not be easy though, especially with the rumours of unrest within his squad and the ‘revolution’ that is ongoing in the mercato.

Conceicao spoke to the media ahead of the Derby della Madonnina, and his words have been relayed by Milan News.

Tomorrow is his 9th match as Milan coach, the second against Inter. From a tactical point of view in Riyadh his football had met Inter’s 3-5-2 well…

“This balance is important, looking at the opponent’s strengths and balancing the organization. I also faced them in the Champions League with Porto, they haven’t changed much. The players know each other too well, the coach hasn’t changed.

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“This knowledge is too important, it’s something very positive for them. We have to understand what we can do to counter this game dynamic and understand their weaknesses, which all teams in the world have.”

A turbulent period, even with the market open…

“A very interesting question because in this period of the open market, I have already said that it is open for too long, a month. Even at a mental level, it moves something on an emotional level. We don’t want, we know what we have to do.

“We are working on the situation of the game, which interests me. I read a lot of lies and they bother me, I don’t like it. I am always here every 3-4 days, if you have any doubts I will answer you, it is not a problem. But lies hurt, today the players are all social media and it is not easy to manage a group with this market, with the news and with all the work we have to do on the pitch.

“Sometimes I find myself managing other things that do not belong to me but I have to manage because only with my group at the best level can I win.”

Are you referring to the rumours of players asking to be traded?

“I’m not going to talk about these things, they are part of the group. We have to focus on working in the best way possible to play a good game tomorrow and be able to win. We know that this is a delicate period, there is a lot of talk about the transfer market and other things.

“When there is a negative result, even more so. I know, I understand. You never see me angry when you tell me that the team doesn’t play well because I respect it, it’s part of your job. I change your opinion by winning games.

“Other things go beyond my range of action. Does it interfere? Yes, it’s something that comes from outside and it’s not the truth. For me, it’s important to talk about Simone Inzaghi, about their 3-5-2, with the ball, without the ball. The work was on that.”

On Gimenez and Tomori…

“I can’t talk about Gimenez because it’s not official yet. Do I like him? Tomori? I count on all the players. There are about ten players who left Porto with me on a free transfer and played until the last second.

“Are we talking about the transfer market? If Tomori has to play tomorrow he will play, I have faith in everyone.”

Is it a necessary revolution? Does Milan need to change its face?

“Changing 1-2 players is not much. I understand your curiosity and also that you talk about this because it is better to talk about this than about Taremi or Lautaro of Inter. Drawing these conclusions here before Milan-Inter, which sees the whole world, where we have to improve a lot and there are many things inside my head…

Photo by AC Milan

“Drawing conclusions on the market… If you want to talk about it in another press conference at another time I will do it.”

After the victory in the Super Cup, did you still expect these major difficulties?

“Every coach wants perfection. Here we have to work to have the base. As a coach I always have my bags packed, coaches are like that. After I left Porto I could have earned 10 times more than at Milan, I came here because I believe we can do something important.

“It is one of the worst moments in the history of Milan, I am aware of this. And this awareness is the basis for starting to work”.

How are Gabbia and Thiaw? How did you see Walker? Have you chosen the centre forward for tomorrow?

“Walker is fine, he’s working well, he’s physically fine. He’s a solution for tomorrow. Malick came back today, he had his first training session today. He’s not in top physical condition. Matteo went out in Zagreb with a bad knock to his calf, he didn’t go out because of the mistake. I’m available for tomorrow, Thiaw is not at his best. If we need a hand he’s ready. We’ll see in attack.”

Is it the case of being always on the verge of a nervous breakdown? Milan, in addition to the base, also needs a bit of serenity in relationships?

“People confuse calm with passion. That’s how I am. If I come here before the match I don’t pretend. I live the match with passion and emotion, but that doesn’t mean I’m always angry. My character is like that, I’m 50 years old and I don’t know if I can change.

“I’m convinced that we’ve worked to play a good match tomorrow and I’m calm about that, but I’m passionate. That’s my character. There’s no nervousness, it’s just my way of being. Even if we win 4-0 I’m there gesticulating, being myself.”

Inzaghi continues to complain about the foul on Asllani…

“I don’t have to say anything, it’s his opinion and mine is another. The game is over, now it’s not important to go back to a hypothetical foul in midfield that led to the goal. He will have his reasons and his ideas. I too have complained to the referees at times. It happens. Let’s not put the whole game on this episode because it’s not right.”

Are you more worried about Inter or Milan’s attitude tomorrow?

“I am increasingly concerned with what we do. We certainly look at the opponent who has many strong points and some weaknesses. There are strategic situations to be careful about, but the main work is on ourselves.”

Why is Morata leaving?

“I speak with the players every day. You know that for the little time we have to work on the pitch we talk a lot. I spoke with Alvaro yesterday, together with all the teammates. The market situations are what they are.

Credit AC Milan

“Like marriages, there must be the will of the groom, the bride and also the priest. I don’t know if he understood, it’s a bit like that.”

Tomorrow there will be no Fofana. Who can do his job?

“I would have wanted everyone available, certainly. Someone else will play, I have faith in everyone. It’s good for you too, you were always talking about when Fofana would rest. Someone else will play.”

At Inter there is a calm atmosphere. The only note is the revenge for the Super Cup final. Here at Milan instead there is some pepper around. Which of the two situations will then lead to an improvement in the performance on the field?

“At this level here there is no favourite because the environment is better or worse. These games take their life when the referee blows the whistle. If there hadn’t been the transfer market it would have been better but it’s not possible, we have to concentrate on what we can do.

“We have to give life to the game, it’s the players who go on the pitch and the game has its history, every game is different. The Super Cup is the past, it will be a different game.”

You arrived a month ago. If we were in August we wouldn’t be so strict, a month of work is nothing. How should we look at your work?

“It’s an important consideration. In the end, even as a job, because I’m talking about working on the pitch, it’s not easy for me. I was talking about it with 2-3 players, it’s not easy for someone like me who likes to work on the pitch. The feeling of working on video is different.

“At the start of the season, there are free weeks to do this type of work. Those who play less have already taken more than we want compared to those who play more and have to recover, it seems a bit counterintuitive.

“In Riyadh they misunderstood that we need positive energy, to be emotional, with a sparkle in our eyes like when we play football as children without ever getting tired. This basis, this passion is what I try to transmit. I also do it with my posture, with the players and with those who work here. And then, on the game plan, I feel that we are still a long way from what I want.

“I like a compact team, that presses high, that has great intensity, that allows little to the opponents, that creates a lot.

“Do I have the players to interpret this way of playing? At the moment I say no, that’s why we play differently. Today we worked a little because it’s the third day after Zagreb. Is that an excuse? I don’t have to.