AC Milan Coach Conceicao Aims for Derby Win Against Inter

AC Milan coach Sergio Conceicao hopes to bounce back from recent struggles as his team faces Inter Milan in Serie A. Milan has beaten Inter twice this season.

AC Milan Coach Conceicao Aims for Derby Win Against Inter

AC Milan coach Sergio Conceicao hopes his team can overcome recent struggles when they face Inter Milan in Serie A on Sunday. Milan has already beaten their rivals twice this season—2-1 in September in the league and 3-2 in the Italian Super Cup in January.

However, Milan has lost two of their last four games. Their most recent setback was a shocking 2-1 defeat against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Wednesday. This loss meant they missed an automatic last-16 spot and will now play in the playoffs.

“There is a lot to improve,” Conceicao said in a press conference on Saturday. “We have to work to have the base. As a coach, I always have my bags packed because that’s how this job is.”

The 50-year-old Portuguese coach took charge of Milan in December after leaving Porto in June. He started well, going unbeaten in his first four matches, winning three. But then, Milan lost 2-0 to Juventus in mid-January.

“In the Super Cup final in Riyadh, the players showed great energy and passion, playing like kids having fun. That’s what I want to see more of,” Conceicao said.

“But in terms of our gameplay, we are still far from what I want. I like a compact team that presses high and plays with intensity while creating many chances. Right now, I don’t have the players to play that way. That’s why we are adapting, but it’s not an excuse—I knew this when I arrived.”

Also Read: Real Madrid and Man City Set for Another Champions League Showdown

AC Milan Coach Conceicao Aims for Derby Win Against Inter
AC Milan Coach Conceicao Aims for Derby Win Against Inter

Playoffs Ahead

Milan was in sixth place before their final Champions League group game, after winning five in a row. But the loss to Zagreb dropped them to 13th place, forcing them into a playoff. They will now face Feyenoord over two legs this month for a chance to reach the knockout rounds.

“I hoped to avoid the playoffs, but now we have to focus,” Conceicao said. “We need positive energy, sometimes even more than usual, but we also need to grow. After the first half in Zagreb, we can’t sink any lower.”

Milan will now face an Inter Milan side eager for a derby win. Inter is second in Serie A, three points behind Napoli with a game in hand. They also secured a Champions League last-16 spot with a 3-0 win over Monaco.

Milan, also with a game in hand, is struggling in seventh place, 19 points behind the leaders.

“I faced Inter when I was at Porto, and they haven’t changed much,” Conceicao said. “Their players know each other well, which helps them a lot. We must find ways to stop their game and attack their weaknesses.”

Also Read: Porto vs. Roma Headlines Europa League Knockout Playoffs; Fenerbahce to Face Anderlech

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