AC Milan Boss Hails Inter Milan Squad Depth Amid Injury Crisis In Attack: “Deep Squad, If Leao Starts? Don’t Know If I’m Alive Tomorrow” | OneFootball

AC Milan boss Sergio Conceicao praises Inter Milan’s strength in depth ahead of tomorrow’s Coppa Italia showdown.

Speaking to Sport Mediaset via FCInterNews, Conceicao analyzed the injury crisis at the San Siro and previewed the match.

After a 2-1 loss at Napoli last weekend, Milan’s chances of locking down a fifth consecutive top-four finish in Serie A are at an all-time low.

Indeed, they trail fourth-placed Bologna by nine points, having finished Gameweek 30 in ninth.

Therefore, winning the Coppa Italia could be the club’s best chance of securing European football next season.

However, Conceicao has proved a thorn in Inter’s side, going unbeaten in both meetings since taking charge in January.

In addition to beating them in the Supercoppa Italiana final, he held them to a 1-1 draw in Serie A.

Therefore, his expectations for tomorrow’s first-leg clash at the San Siro are sky-high.

AC Milan Manager Sergio Conceicao Hails Inter Strength

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 16: Rafael Leao of AC Milan is challenged by Matteo Darmian of Inter Milan during the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 16, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Inter will be without Denzel Dumfries, Lautaro Martinez, and Mehdi Taremi tomorrow.

However, Conceicao believes those injuries won’t derail Inter’s attacking potential.

“Yes, but we’re also missing Loftus-Cheek,” he said. “Inter has a deep and high-quality squad.

“We need to analyze our opponents’ dynamics to understand what we must do to win.

“The Coppa Italia is a target for the team. We believe we can win this trophy.”

Meanwhile, Conceicao came under scrutiny for benching standout winger Rafael Leao against Napoli.

That’s a mistake he can’t afford to replicate, though he refuses to confirm the 25-year-old’s return to the starting XI.

“It’s easy to talk after the match,” he said.

Finally, he reiterated his optimism ahead of the latest Derby della Madonnina installment.

“We’re in good physical shape, as we showed in Naples.

“We’re here to put in a strong performance from the first to the last minute.”