Conceicao discusses first few days at Milan, ‘risk’ factor, leaving a mark and facing son | OneFootball

Sergio Conceicao has admitted that he is ‘not excited at all’ for his AC Milan managerial debut, having come down with a fever and having had little time to work.

To describe it as a crazy few days at Milan would be an understatement. The leadership decided to sack Paulo Fonseca after the 1-1 draw with Roma at San Siro on December 29, hiring Conceicao just a few hours after the official statement had gone out.

The former Porto boss has been thrust straight into the fray with the team departing for Saudi Arabia a day after he joined. There, he is already putting the squad through their paces with double training sessions.

It seems as though he is aiming to lay down an early marker, with reports speaking of intense sessions and individual discussions with players about discipline, all in view of tomorrow’s debut against Juve.

Conceicao spoke at his pre-match press conference on the eve of the game alongside Mike Maignan, and his comments were relayed by MilanNews.

How were the first few days?

“I found a humble team, that wants to learn, that wants to understand what the coach they have now wants. And this is the basis for working with quality. There was little time to work, but we were incisive in saying where the team needs to improve in various moments of the game to be competitive tomorrow.”

What does it mean to face Juventus right away?

“The timing is what it is. Of course I would have liked more days to work and more players available, but when I arrived I already knew about this situation. So there are no excuses. Heads up. We are preparing for the match to be incisive, without having too much information in our heads, to try to win.”

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Tomorrow you will face your son…

“I’m not excited at all, I have a cold and a little fever. At home I’m Francisco’s father, tomorrow he will be an opponent. He thinks the same way. No emotion, I want to beat him.”

Is it better to face Juve?

“We can only work: words don’t count for anything, in these big clubs what counts are the results. And the result we are looking for is to win tomorrow.”

Has your son grown a lot?

“A quality player, with techniques, with understanding the game, with the tactics that he prepares. He also has physical qualities. Juve has many quality players, young, who work and understand what Motta wants.

“I don’t want to fit in talent or quality, but we have to be compact, aggressive and work as a team. That’s the only way football works in my opinion.”

What do you think of Tomori?

“I haven’t had time to talk about the market. Tomori is available [to play].”

What is the stamp you want to leave?

“We have to work every day, I’m not a visionary to think six months from now. I work every day to get results, then we’ll do the math. There’s pressure, but tomorrow the stadium is full: I’m happy, we do a fantastic job, we earn money, we’re known, we’re lucky. We have to use this talent that God has given us to do well.”

Photo by AC Milan

What do you think of Milan-Juve?

“I also passed the idea I had to the players: two teams with a desire in abundance. There is a lot of quality on both sides. We must want to win tomorrow, also thinking about the defensive phase.”

After your first press conference you were compared to Allegri, Conte and Simeone…

“I have great respect for everyone, then football is different for everyone. Conte, Simeone and Allegri have already had many years of high level. I have to bring results to Milan, otherwise talking is useless. We have to react.”

What is the latest on injuries?

“I’m not a doctor. There are some players who are not well, some don’t have 90 minutes, others will start as starters. It’s a management that I have to do.”

What are your first impressions of Saudi Arabia?

“We were received in a very friendly manner. We lack nothing. Thank you for your hospitality.”

Is it a risk to coach Milan?

“Life is like this: risks, challenges. I worked hard to get here, otherwise I would have stayed quietly in my country. For me it is an honor and a source of pride to coach a team like Milan.”

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How do you rate the Saudi league?

“There are also Portuguese coaches and English players: you can feel that he is growing, you can see that there is desire.”

Do you feel a sense of responsibility?

“The responsibilities of defending these colours are many, it has fans all over the world. We will try to make a good impression.”

What do you think of Otavio?

“Otavio was my player for many years: he is like a son to me. And, like sons, he took many blows to the head and now he is my friend.”

What are your intentions for the future?

“I won’t say my intentions and the past is the past. Before there were other coaches, now I’m here: we’ll try to do well now to have a better future.”