Conceicao fury at VAR inconsistency, but ‘some positives’ for Milan | OneFootball

Sergio Conceicao hit out at the clear inconsistency of the VAR officials after Santiago Gimenez saw red for Milan against Roma, but also stood up for his work. ‘There were some positives too.’

The Rossoneri were already smarting after the 1-0 Coppa Italia Final defeat to Bologna on Wednesday evening at the Stadio Olimpico and were back in this stadium for a 3-1 Serie A loss to Roma, which mathematically ensured they will not qualify for any UEFA competition next season.

“The mood was not easy to deal with after the Final, with incidents not just then, but throughout my five months here that did not go our way. They are always negative for us and positive for the opposition, either through our own errors or those of others,” Conceicao told DAZN.

Conceicao hits out at lack of VAR consistency

epa12100685 Milan’s head coach Sergio Conceicao gestures during the Italian Cup final soccer match between AC Milan and Bologna FC in Rome, Italy, 14 May 2025. EPA-EFE/Riccardo Antimiani

Gianluca Mancini had opened the scoring after three minutes, but the real turning point was the VAR intervention for Gimenez elbowing Mancini in the chest.

It was an identical situation to the one that saw Sam Beukema elbow Matteo Gabbia during the Coppa Italia Final, but the VAR in that situation did not intervene.

“The VAR and AVAR today were the same as the ones with Bologna. I am not saying there wasn’t a red card for Gimenez, I didn’t see it, but there was an identical situation on Matteo Gabbia and the same VAR and AVAR did not call the referee there,” said Conceicao.

“We are challenging for Europe here. I admit we should’ve done much more in the Final, but these details become difficult to sustain. It was already a tough game away to Roma, let alone after going down to 10 men.

“We tried to give our all, Roma barely touched the ball for long periods in the first half and I felt we could’ve won. We cannot concede on a set play like that. We had chances with Luka and Rafa to score, but ran out of steam and Cristante got the third.”

ROME, ITALY – MAY 18: Joao Felix of AC Milan scores his team’s first goal past Mile Svilar of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AS Roma and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on May 18, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Sergio Conceicao was sent off for dissent in the second half, so he will not be on the touchline for the final game of the season and many assume this was his last appearance on the Milan bench.

“Everyone has to evaluate what he did in his work. I am very demanding with myself, before the game I looked up the statistics and since I arrived, we earned enough points to get into the Champions League zone,” noted the coach who replaced Paulo Fonseca in January.

“I am not saying it was a good season or perfect five months, absolutely not, but there were some positives too. We won the Supercoppa Italiana, we reached the Coppa Italia Final, but when it came to the key games, there were negative moments. This is not a good year for an historic club like Milan, everyone has to evaluate his work and then talk it over at the end.”

epa12043388 AC Milan’s coach Sergio Conceicao during the Italian Serie A soccer match AC Milan vs Atalanta at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan, Italy, 20 April 2025. EPA-EFE/Roberto Bregani

Is Conceicao sad that the touchline ban means he won’t be able to salute the Milan supporters at San Siro?

“I have always experienced this profession with passion. I am close to my lads, I am sad that for a word out of place, and I didn’t offend anyone I just asked for respect as in my view the foul for the second goal wasn’t there. I was a player for 25 years, I know the little details make the difference.

“In any case, I don’t want excuses, I am passionate about football and it saddens me that I cannot be there with my lads. We must try to be united in a season that was not easy and take responsibility.”