Conceicao explains how courage and compactness helped Milan to Supercoppa win | OneFootball

AC Milan head coach Sergio Conceicao could not contain his joy after seeing his side come from two goals down to beat Inter and lift the Supercoppa Italiana.

In truth, after 50 minutes it looked like being another disappointment for Milan out in the Middle East as Mehdi Taremi had just put Inter 2-0 up after Lautaro Martinez’s opener right on the stroke of half-time.

However, the Rossoneri found themselves a goal down against Juventus on Friday in the semi-final and came back, so they knew not to give up. Theo Hernandez scored a free-kick to quickly halve the deficit, then Christian Pulisic fired in a precision shot to equalise.

Just as it looked like the game was heading for penalty kicks, there was one final bit of drama. In the third minute of five added, a brilliant through ball from Pulisic found Leao, who hit the ball into the ground to square for Abraham and the tap-in sparked rapturous scenes.

After the game Conceicao spoke to SportMediaset to share his feelings after capturing trophy number one in just his second game, with MilanNews relaying his comments.

You have managed wins against Juve and Inter in a few days, how did you do it?

“I am very happy for the players, it wasn’t easy. The atmosphere wasn’t at its best. We had a few days to work on details and small things that were important to me in these two matches.

“We were facing two top-level teams. The credit goes to the players who absorbed everything we gave. There were mistakes because the opponent has quality, there are things to improve, there is a lot of work to do.

“They are aware of this, we can do a great job in these 4 months to get to the top places, where Milan should be, not in seventh place like now. Now we have celebrated, from tomorrow we will think about Cagliari.”

More Stories / The Match

Conceicao explains how courage and compactness helped Milan to Supercoppa win

6 January 2025, 23:30

Pulisic reacts after Supercoppa triumph and reveals what surprised him about Conceicao

6 January 2025, 23:13

Leao reflects on Inter revenge and Conceicao’s impact: “Winning is a great emotion”

6 January 2025, 22:56

You turned it around again after half-time, what did you say to the team?

“In the end there were two or three things on the defensive level, it was the attacking phase that needed to be lateral. It was a big blow to concede the two goals. In the second half a poor reading of the space in behind put us 2-0 down.

“But this means that the team has character, it managed to win two games against great teams. At half time a coach has to manage and change things, it’s part of my job and that’s why they pay me.”

Today the team pressed well, the defence took that step forward when the midfield advanced…

“Exactly. Well done, if we want to be compact all the departments are important and there must be little distance between them. I know that the defenders we have, and also the midfielders, can still do better.

“They must have courage. If we want to return to being the great Milan we need this desire, this courage. For me it is important, and the articulation of the defensive line is not easy. But they are intelligent, they understand what we want despite the short time.

Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images

“Then it is not easy for the intensity, we have not had 5-6 clear days to work. Congratulations to them, they understood what we had to do to win.”

How will you handle Leao?

“Leao is a phenomenon. I have known him for a long time, Portuguese for me. He is relaxed, I am tense (smiles). He has to learn 2-3 things and he can be the best in the world.

“He has everything, I am not saying this to be nice, he has a lot of quality and if he puts it at the service of the team he will be even stronger. In my opinion at the end of the season he will be one of the best in the world, I have no doubts.”