Conceicao: ‘Milan first clean sheet, Leao putting the effort in’ | OneFootball

Sergio Conceicao warns Milan ‘have a lot of work to be done’ despite his first clean sheet in a Champions League win over Girona, while he assures Rafael Leao ‘is putting the effort in’ to help the defence.

The Rossoneri had a frustrating evening at San Siro, as Emerson Royal limped off after just four minutes, then Theo Hernandez and Yunus Musah rattled the frame of the goal.

There was one moment of magic, as Ismael Bennacer won back the ball quickly and threaded through for Rafael Leao to turn David Lopez inside out, firing into the roof of the net.

That proved the only goal, as a wonderful Bryan Gil curler into the top corner was narrowly ruled offside.

“It was a positive result, we still have a lot of work to be done though,” Conceicao told Sky Sport Italia.

“We knew Girona are dangerous on the ball, our pressing was not brilliant, but we still didn’t allow them much in the first half. Once we stepped up the tempo and made more vertical passes, we created chances to score several goals in the first half.

“After the break, I think we had more fear of conceding an equaliser than we did the desire to score a second. This is one of the things we are here to improve.”

Conceicao sees gradual Milan progress

epa11845648 AC Milan’s Rafael Leao (L) scores the 1-0 goal against Girona’s goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga (R) during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between AC Milan and Girona, in Milan, Italy, 22 January 2025. EPA-EFE/MATTEO BAZZI

This was Milan’s fifth consecutive Champions League victory, a remarkable recovery considering they lost the first two, but it was the first since Sergio Conceicao took over from Paulo Fonseca on December 30.

It was also the first time that Conceicao has kept a clean sheet on the Rossoneri bench.

“We didn’t concede a goal, but must be much more solid and compact as a team. There are moments when we don’t have the ball and everyone has to think the same way, that’s what makes a team in my view.

“It is the first time we kept a clean sheet, but it has to become a habit, as these are the foundations you build success on. Conceding zero goals is the only way to guarantee points!

“The team is working on what I want, I realise that it is not easy, I try to feel the pulse of the side and I saw they were suffering a little, so I moved to five at the back. At this moment, with this atmosphere and situation, the result was too important.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Milan 1-0 Girona

Rafael Leao scored the sensational goal, but also put more effort in that perhaps Milan fans were accustomed to seeing when it comes to helping out the defence.

“When I arrived, I spoke to him and we worked on this, because it’s important that he understands he is a striker when he has the ball, but a defender when we don’t. He has to be at the disposal of the team in those moments when we have to count on everyone,” explained Conceicao.

“He is putting the effort in to become a more complete player and if he makes this a habit, then he can become a much better player.”

Although it was a clean sheet, that was thanks to at least two huge Mike Maignan saves and the offside flag on Bryan Gil, as Milan continue to have issues dealing with counter-attacks.

“It is true, when we lose the ball, we have to get back collectively to cover. It is too easy for the opponents to go clear against our defence, I agree this is an issue,” concluded Conceicao.

Milan will guarantee a top eight finish and direct access to the Champions League Round of 16 if they win away to Dinamo Zagreb on January 29.