Conceicao has Milan injury update and regret ‘over everything’ | OneFootball

Sergio Conceicao reveals new injury problems for Tammy Abraham ahead of Monday’s trip to Genoa and admits he has regrets ‘over everything’ reaching the end of this season.

It kicks off at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Monday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT, 20.45 CET).

The Rossoneri have practically been cut out of the race for the top four and even qualifying for the Europa League is more likely via the Coppa Italia Final against Bologna, which will be played on May 14.

“What I’ve said so far is that we must take it one game at a time, focusing on what we can improve, trying to be a stronger team with each day that passes,” said Conceicao in his press conference.

“We’ll think about Genoa first and then the two matches against Bologna.”

Milan preparing double Bologna battle

epa11928754 Milan’s Rafael Leao scores the opening goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match Bologna FC vs AC Milan at Renato Dall’Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, 27 February 2025. EPA-EFE/ELISABETTA BARACCHI

By a curious twist of fate, Milan and Bologna will also go head-to-head in Serie A next week, just days before their Coppa Italia showdown at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

The Rossoneri do seem to have turned a corner since switching to a three-man defence, making the most of Theo Hernandez and Alex Jimenez’s characteristics.

“This consistency we have found with the new system is something we’re working on, in terms of defending, attacking, and overall balance. The players are starting to get to know better what we want in the dynamics of the team,” continued the coach.

“There are some setbacks, but my idea is that everyone is important. Luka Jovic is feeling better, had had three training sessions with us, but Abraham has a fitness problem, so he is out along with Warren Bondo and Riccardo Sottil. Kyle Walker is available, he knows how to play in the back three or as a wing-back.

“Everyone knows the quality of the Milan players, but what we need is consistency. Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao won the Scudetto with Milan, they are amongst the best in the world. Sometimes things don’t go the way they should, but I am counting on them, as I do with everyone.”

Conceicao resists urge to rotate Milan

epa11966596 AC Milan’s head coach Sergio Conceicao reacts during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Como at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan, Italy, 15 March 2025. EPA-EFE/DANIEL DAL ZENNARO

Conceicao shrugged off the suggestion he could rest players tomorrow ahead of the double battle with Bologna.

“Every day that we come here, there is the responsibility of working for a club like Milan. The Serie A table is what it is, but we have the responsibility to prove our quality every day, to prove we are a different team from the one that we appeared to be at times.

“I don’t care what other coaches do. I also respect Fabio Capello a great deal, but he has his ideas and I have mine. Besides, the game is not just the 11 players who start, but those who come off the bench too.”

When asked if Jovic or Santiago Gimenez will play tomorrow, Conceicao joked with the media.

“It is up to me to decide who starts, if they should even start together, it depends on the situation. They have different characteristics, we’ll see what happens tomorrow. I know who will play, by the way, I’m just not going to tell you now!”

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 02: Theo Hernandez of AC Milan reacts during the Coppa Italia Semi Final match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 02, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Milan have been weak defensively for most of the season and the situation has not improved under Conceicao, who how can they keep some clean sheets, especially away from home?

“We just need to work, it’s not like a change of system automatically fixes everything. We have to keep working. The team showed it creates chances in every game, but we lacked balance and defensive solidity.

“We are working on all of this, not just as a team, but also the individual errors we cannot afford to commit at this level.”

The press conference concluded on a rather down note when Conceicao was asked if he feels regret, anger or disappointment at Milan’s Serie A standings.

“Yes, over everything.”