Conceicao: ‘New Milan closer to football I like, but Leao can do more’ | OneFootball

Sergio Conceicao confirms that the Coppa Italia quarter-final win over Roma and debuts of new buys including Joao Felix take Milan ‘closer to the football I like,’ but warns Rafael Leao ‘can do much more.’

Just days after a dramatic Derby della Madonnina draw with Inter, the Rossoneri were feeling the pressure in this clash and came out fighting with an early Tammy Abraham brace at San Siro against his former club.

Artem Dovbyk got one back for the Giallorossi, but the debutants made their ideal introduction to Italian football, as Santiago Gimenez provided the assist for a fabulous Joao Felix lob just 14 minutes into their joint debut.

“I talk about foundations in football and in life, which also means having passion for what you do, being better tomorrow than you were today,” Conceicao told Sport Mediaset.

“We are trying to pass on to the team what we want, but we had just one training session to prepare for this game and I do not have the luxury of working on the details of the game in training, because we play every three days.

“Nonetheless, the players accept what we want, they are intelligent and I am happy today, especially as the second goal came from recovering the ball quickly in midfield. That was something we worked on, so I am pleased.

“Joao and Santiago also only had one training session, but understood immediately, confirming their intelligence.”

Was there something special in Conceicao’s celebration when Gimenez and Joao Felix combined to score a delicate lob?

“No, I was worried it was offside! It’s a fine goal, it secured the victory and got us into the semi-final, now there are three games left to win the competition. Now is when we must work for the next match against Empoli, a team I really like to watch even though their recent results have not been great, but Serie A is very difficult.

“We must continue with the evolution I want to see both individually and then that influences the team collectively too.”

Milan will go on to face either Inter or Lazio in the Coppa Italia semi-final, both of them clubs that Conceicao played for, which is the only phase of the entire competition to be played over two legs.

Conceicao is transforming Milan with new signings

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Santiago Gimenez of AC Milan runs with the ball during the Coppa Italia Quarter Final match between AC Milan and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 05, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Having inherited a 4-2-3-1 formation, the coach seems to be pushing them more towards a pure 4-3-3 with the changes to the squad, so how important is finding the right tactical balance and are there similarities to his FC Porto with these adjustments?

“Balance is fundamental, absolutely fundamental, because football is about balance, when you have the ball and when you do not. I saw some signals during the game that I did not like, but I also realise we are working on it and trying to improve,” replied Conceicao.

“I don’t see the similarities with Porto yet, but we are working to be more compact, more aggressive, not allow the opponents to get into our final third so often. We’re not there yet, but with the players who arrived in the transfer window, their characteristics give me the comfort to go towards the football I like, including with two strikers and the right balance not just to score goals, but also not concede them.”

Rafael Leao was carrying a muscular issue and only came on for the final 20 minutes, but Conceicao was asked can the winger do more for Milan?

“Yes, much more. Much more. Because he has incredible quality and characteristics, he must realise the ball at his feet is very important, but he must work when he’s not on the ball. He must understand that he is part of a team, part of a collective, and that he must work at all moments for the team,” replied the coach.

“I realise it’s not easy for him to get out of his comfort zone, doing the work that people don’t pay much attention to, but it is essential for me. He can become a player of another level if he takes on board the things we are talking about and working with him on every single day,” concluded Conceicao.