Conceicao: ‘Milan disappointment, refereeing not an alibi’ | OneFootball

Sergio Conceicao admits Milan ‘could’ve done more in the second half’ of their Coppa Italia Final defeat to Bologna, but did not want to ‘seek alibis’ with some refereeing decisions.

These teams had faced off on Friday in Serie A, with the Rossoneri fighting back from a goal down to win 3-1, but Vincenzo Italiano seemingly learned those lessons and did not fumble the advantage again.

Dan Ndoye struck with the only goal of the Coppa Italia Final at the Stadio Olimpico, which proved enough to secure the trophy and Europa League qualification for Bologna.

Conceicao suffers Milan defeat

ROME, ITALY – MAY 14: Sergio Conceicao, Head Coach of AC Milan, walks past the Coppa Italia trophy after the team’s defeat in the Coppa Italia Final match between AC Milan and Bologna at Stadio Olimpico on May 14, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi/Getty Images)

“The first half was balanced, we had a few chances to score and taking the lead in these games is important,” Conceicao told Sport Mediaset.

“I admit, we could’ve done more in the second half. Bologna had a bit of luck with the goal, I don’t want to take anything away from our opponents, Bologna did well to win the trophy, but after that there was very little football played.”

Conceicao and his players were furious with referee Maurizio Mariani just before half-time, feeling that Lewis Ferguson should’ve had a second yellow card for a tussle with Christian Pulisic.

“I don’t want to seek alibis with the referee, there were two or three controversial situations, but I don’t want to make them seem like excuses. We should’ve done more. We won the Supercoppa, we got all the way in the Coppa Italia, now we will try to end this season with dignity.

“There is another important game coming up in this stadium against Roma on Sunday. I am sorry for the fans who were so enthusiastic, it was a disappointment for everyone. We could’ve done more, but these are balanced encounters, they are decided by details, so they scored and we did not.”

Milan continue their record of losing more Coppa Italia Finals than any other club, managing just five victories in 14 attempts.

They also now risk missing out on Europe altogether, sitting eighth in Serie A with only two rounds remaining.

Conceicao defends Milan choices

ROME, ITALY – MAY 14: Riccardo Orsolini of Bologna is challenged by Theo Hernandez of AC Milan during the Coppa Italia Final match between AC Milan and Bologna at Stadio Olimpico on May 14, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Considering the defeat, would Conceicao going back make the same decisions about his starting XI and his substitutes?

“There are 10,000 things going through your mind in these situations, at the end of the day everyone is a great coach in hindsight. Before the match, I did what I needed to do, I followed my ideas, so I’d make the same decisions.

“It’s different now that we know what didn’t work, but this is football.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Milan 0-1 Bologna

Bologna had a high press and Milan struggled to build out from the back this evening, so started going for long balls.

“We had prepared to use our goalkeeper as a sweeper, but at times we were forced to be too hasty and play it long. In any case, the first 25 minutes weren’t bad.”

Conceicao won the Supercoppa Italiana in only his second game in charge, dancing with a cigar in the locker room, but that will be the sum total of what might be a brief tenure on the Milan bench.

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“It was a hard-fought match, very competitive, where every duel could be decisive. I think that reflects our season. The disappointment I talked about was just losing a Final, the opportunity to win silverware, in a difficult season with a very difficult environment.

“At the end of the day, I have to congratulate Bologna, as they played their game well and we were lacking something.”

The presenter on the Sport Mediaset programme tried to get Conceicao to open up on his Milan future, asking if they would see him in the Coppa Italia again next season.

“We’ll see each other on Sunday for the next Serie A game,” was his reply with a wry smile.