Conceicao discusses comeback win, bringing stars off and Calabria clash: “We’re not in church” | OneFootball

AC Milan head coach Sergio Conceicao has shed further light on what happened at full-time with Davide Calabria, following the dramatic win against Parma.

Milan produced what can only be described as a miraculous comeback against Parma, scoring twice in added time to earn a 3-2 win at San Siro on Sunday afternoon.

Matteo Cancellieri and Enrico Del Prato made it 0-1 and 1-2 either side of a Christian Pulisic penalty, and it looked like they would secure a league double over the Rossoneri.

However, in the six minutes of added time chaos ensued. Tijjani Reijnders latched onto a Yunus Musah through ball to level it one-on-one, then a couple of minutes later Samuel Chukwueze bundled in a late winner off the bench.

The drama wasn’t done at full-time either as Conceicao had a heated coming together with Davide Calabria, something that the defender spoke about in his post-match interview.

Conceicao spoke to DAZN at full-time to give his thoughts on what was a crazy game with an even crazier ending, and his comments were relayed by MilanNews.

What happened at the end of the game?

“I am on edge every day (laughs). I watch the games and listen to them with a lot of passion. There was a bit more adrenaline. There was a game situation that I spoke about with Calabria and there were a few words too many in my opinion.

“For me, all players are important, like a family. If I have a son who misbehaves, I tell him. And here it’s the same. There’s no hypocrisy: we tell each other things like men. True, it wasn’t nice, but that’s normal in football, we’re not in church.”

More Stories / The Match

Conceicao discusses comeback win, bringing stars off and Calabria clash: “We’re not in church”

26 January 2025, 15:59

Calabria lifts lid on argument with Conceicao and admits to having had ‘personal’ difficulties

26 January 2025, 15:39

Reijnders thinks Milan fans played part in Parma comeback: “We showed the right mentality”

26 January 2025, 15:19

The team completed a fourth come-from-behind win since you arrived…

“I didn’t want these comebacks, I wanted to win earlier and be comfortable! However, this is a demonstration of character and spirit. We have to improve our game.”

You made some big changes at half-time…

The choices at half-time are made to improve the team, regardless of the names. Theo and Leao have given us so much in the recent past: nothing to say, I will say right away that they will play in Zagreb. These are the coach’s choices, they pay me for this.”

Is a finisher missing?

“In my opinion, there is a bit of a lack of balance between the attacking and defensive phases, which are connected. Sometimes it is the whole process and the dynamics of the team that must allow us to get to the last 30 metres in a position to score.

“We must improve in the defensive phase: they understand where to press the opponent but other small things are also needed.”

Photo by AC Milan

Did you console Fofana, who will now miss the derby?

“He was disappointed, he will miss an important match. But I put him on the pitch and I know that for the fans the three points in the derby are important, but for me today’s are also important. Otherwise we risked losing both.”

What did you say/do after the game?

“I’m not going to say what I did in the dressing room, sorry for the delay. There are things to plan, tomorrow we work for the Champions League match. Lots of small details and in the end we look at the clock and a lot of time has passed.”