Gullit discusses Milan’s lack of ‘DNA’, Conceicao’s work and Coppa Italia derby | OneFootball

Ruud Gullit has once again laid into the current iteration of AC Milan, claiming that the club are lacking in the DNA which makes it great.

Milan are having a disastrous season on all fronts, having been out of the Scudetto race before the turn of the year and having been knocked out of the Champions League in the play-off round by Feyenoord.

The Supercoppa Italiana was raised to the Saudi Arabian sky back in early January, the 50th major honour in the club’s 125th season, yet it feels like a long time ago as the struggles have merely gotten worse under Sergio Conceicao.

With the team sat ninth in the Serie A standings, all that remains is the Coppa Italia. Winning that would obtain a Europa League spot, but there is the prospect of a very tough second leg against Inter to negotiate first.

La Gazzetta dello Sport spoke to Gullit at the 2025 Laureus Awards in Madrid and there was an acronym that the Dutchman kept repeating with remarkable continuity: DNA.

Let’s start with the Coppa Italia derby between Milan and Inter…

“If Milan wants to save the season, they must win the Coppa Italia. Because it is a trophy and because it opens the doors to the Europa League, which are currently closed.

“I know that speaking of titles, this year the Supercoppa Italiana arrived, but that was a surprise and I’m not saying it has already been forgotten, but it is isolated, it is a memory. The fans are not happy, they are not happy with the team’s play.

“A bit like what is happening at Chelsea, another club I am fond of, also in the hands of American owners and which is currently looking for its DNA. The fans are asking themselves: ‘What is happening?'”

More Stories / The Match

CM: ‘Not just in words’ – Milan need a leader’s performance from Leao against Inter

23 April 2025, 11:00

GdS: ‘Milan with the 3-4-3’ – Conceicao’s tactical plan to beat Inter explained

23 April 2025, 10:39

Gallery: ‘Everything to lose, ‘Cup of fear’ – Today’s front pages in Italy

23 April 2025, 10:19

And on the other side there is Inter, who are perfectly recognisable…

“Exactly! An excellent team, a very precise and identifiable philosophy both in terms of the game and the club, the DNA in evidence: everyone knows how Inter plays and what to expect, on and off the pitch.”

What do you think of Sergio Conceiçao’s work?

“I’m certainly not the one who has to say whether he’s consistent or not, but at Milan you have to win. That’s why I was stressing the importance of the Coppa Italia. Conceiçao is a good coach but he arrived at a difficult time, taking over a team in the middle of the season is always complicated.

“He was lucky enough to win the Supercoppa, no one expected it. What happened could have been a basis on which to build something but it wasn’t like that. Milan must go to the Champions League otherwise we can’t talk about a good season. That’s Milan’s stage.”

A Milan that have lost 14 times this season…

“Many, many. Too many. I feel sorry for the players but especially for the fans. It’s tough. This Milan is unrecognisable. The fans want continuity, not a good match and then a lot of difficulties.”

Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

And how do you see the future of AC Milan?

“Honestly, I don’t know. I was there before Christmas for the match against Genoa and it was horrible, horrible. The Milan fan struggles to accept this reality, they don’t recognise it. I was talking about DNA because it’s fundamental to rediscover your essence, the game that is part of your identity.

“I think of Liverpool: Klopp left, they took Slot but they didn’t change their nature, people recognise the distinctive traits of the club. Milan must decide what it wants to be and then take the coach and the players to put this idea into practice.”

Who wins the title between Inter and Napoli?

“It will be very tough. Conte and Inzaghi play with the same system, they have solid and above all recognisable teams. When you face them you know what you’re getting into, and if you’re an Inter or Napoli fan you know what to expect.

“It’s impossible to say today who will win, also because Inter are fighting on three fronts and Napoli are only thinking about Serie A.”