Conceicao ‘can’t express in words’ emotions after Napoli loss: “I have to calm down” | OneFootball

Sergio Conceicao stated that he ‘had to calm down’ after AC Milan fell to yet another defeat in a big game, losing 2-1 away against Napoli on Sunday night.

Milan suffered their ninth loss of the season in Naples, and in some brutal symmetry it condemns them to ninth place in the table, while falling nine points behind the Champions League spots.

Napoli were two up at the break thanks to goals from Matteo Politano and Romelu Lukaku, which gave Milan a mountain to climb, something they have had to do far too often under Conceicao.

The Rossoneri squandered a big opportunity to get back into the game when Santiago Gimenez missed a penalty off the bench, meaning that Luka Jovic’s late goal ended up being just a consolation.

In addition to speaking to DAZN, Conceicao was also present in the press conference room at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and he answered questions from journalists. MilanNews transcribed the presser.

Don’t these games make you angry?

“I can’t express in words what I feel, it’s a disappointment. I have to calm down, today everything happened. I’m not looking for excuses: I woke up with the doctor’s call for Loftus and also Malik, who trained twice after the national team, like Gimenez.

“You have to change everything in the preparation for the match. It takes work, but I liked the reaction. We have to understand why we didn’t have it in the first half.”

Now there is the game of games…

“Yes, it is an important game, the Coppa Italia is a goal for the club. We have already faced it [the derby] twice, they are great challenges, like today’s. Now let’s think about the derby.”

How do you plan to transfer your intensity to the team?

“By training to the max and being clear about what to do. The players have already shown they have character, we need to continue working on balance. It’s difficult for everyone in this position in the standings, but I have a group that wants to change these results. We need to start on Tuesday.”

How important is losing Jimenez for the next game?

“He’s an important player. I don’t know why he got the yellow. I was also booked, but there was too little playing. More minutes of recovery were needed.”