Conceicao facing same issues as Fonseca at Milan: ‘I take responsibility’ | OneFootball

Sergio Conceicao suffered his first defeat in charge of Milan with an uninspiring 2-0 loss against Juventus in Serie A on Saturday, and there have already been suggestions that the Portuguese is suffering from the same issues as his predecessor Paulo Fonseca.

The Rossoneri were soundly beaten at the Allianz Stadium with second half goals from Samuel Mbangula and substitute Timothy Weah, who replaced Kenan Yildiz at half-time.

TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Samuel Mbangula of Juventus is challenged by Youssouf Fofana of AC Milan during the Serie A match between Juventus and AC Milan at Allianz Stadium on January 18, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Conceicao finds the same mentality issues as Fonseca at Milan

Experts suggested that Milan’s main issue in their loss against Juventus came down to their mentality and desire, an issue that was also brought up on several occasions during Fonseca’s reign.

The first question that Conceicao was asked during his post-match press conference question focussed specifically on how he and the team can overcome their mentality issues.

He replied: “The first step to winning the game is wanting to win it. We had a fairly good first half with chances to take the lead. Juve only ended up in front of Mike (Maignan) once, and us three times.

“In the second half, the Milan that you’re already familiar with came out. I am in charge and I take responsibility, but someone has to examine their mindset.”

TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Sergio Conceicao, Head Coach of AC Milan, reacts during the Serie A match between Juventus and AC Milan at Allianz Stadium on January 18, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Asked again how he plans to change the team’s mentality, Conceicao replied: “I am the coach and I have to change it. I am responsible for this defeat and the work I will do will be to find the solution so that we don’t end up in this situation again. It’s a mission that’s possible.”

Saturday’s result has left Milan in eight place in the Serie A table with 31 points from their first 20 matches of the 2024-25 campaign.

They will be in Champions League action against Girona next, before facing a run of Serie A fixtures against Parma, Inter and Roma.