Conceicao assistant: ‘We can talk about why Milan finished here’ | OneFootball

Milan assistant manager Joao Costa, standing in for Sergio Conceicao, warned they will ‘start talking about why we finished in this position’ from tomorrow.

The Rossoneri saw out the campaign with a 2-0 victory over Monza, thanks to goals from Matteo Gabbia and Joao Felix.

Curiously, that was the Chelsea loan player’s second goal in as many Serie A games, but above all the first direct free kick goal scored by a Rossoneri player in the league since Junior Messias in May 2023 against Cremonese.

It was a good way to bow out, as the Portugal international will return to Stamford Bridge after this six-month loan spell.

Milan coach bows out from the stands

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 02: Sergio Conceicao, Head Coach of AC Milan, looks on from the dugout prior to the Coppa Italia Semi Final match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 02, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

As Sergio Conceicao was sitting out a touchline ban, assistant manager Joao Costa sat on the bench and also held the post-match interview, where he was asked if this Milan side deserved to finish in seventh or eighth place.

“For Milan, the players and the fans, the objective must always be first place,” Joao Costa told DAZN.

“We can start talking about the season tomorrow and why we finished in this position, but for tonight we should talk about this game.”

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 24: Joao Felix celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with team mates Tijjani Reijnders, Francesco Camarda and Christian Pulisic during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Monza at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 24, 2025 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Conceicao won his first two matches in charge, lifting the Supercoppa Italiana in January, but things went downhill after that, and he is expected to leave this summer.

“This is a squad full of many players, they each have their own personalities, so it’s like a family, you need to get to know and understand each other,” added Joao Costa.

“However, when it comes to tonight’s match, the start was sluggish, we did better after the restart with more intensity and are satisfied with the result. For the rest, we can talk tomorrow.”

This is very similar to the comments given by CEO Giorgio Furlani before kick-off, who refused to even confirm or deny the imminent arrival of new director of sport Igli Tare.

A flurry of statements are therefore expected from Monday, starting with Tare and most likely then the dismissal of coach Conceicao.