Conceicao dissects Feyenoord defeat but highlights: “We still have 90 minutes” | OneFootball

Sergio Conceicao spoke to the media after AC Milan’s disappointing defeat to Feyenoord in the first leg of the Champions League play-off. The explanation was a lot of the usual, but the manager at least highlighted that they still have 90 minutes left.

Milan conceded just three minutes into the game, due to a Mike Maignan howler, and that certainly set the tone for the rest. Feyenoord were filled with even more energy and were able to intensify their pressing, making life difficult for the Rossoneri.

Conceicao spoke to Prime Video after the game, as transcribed by MilanNews, and said that Milan weren’t aggressive enough. It’s something he has said after games before and fans are starting to wonder when the solution will arrive.

On the game…

“We are halfway through. We still have 90 minutes to play. We knew about this difficult environment here in Rotterdam, they were very aggressive, they won many duels. When it’s like this it becomes more difficult to win a match.

“We had chances to equalise and we weren’t effective on an offensive level. There was also a bit of bad luck in the goal we conceded. We lacked aggression in the duels, they were always faster and more aggressive. We knew about their strength on second balls, these are very important things.”

Will you continue with four attackers?

“Look at this game. The players need to see what they can improve but there’s not much time to work on the pitch. On Saturday, we have Verona and then on Tuesday, there are 90 minutes to play and things to improve to win and get through to the round of 16 of the Champions League.”

Is it necessary to keep the motivation level high?

“On an emotional level, I’m always very motivated to give the best of myself. If we are not motivated in a Champions League match… The qualities for me are not only technical, there are many characteristics that players must have to be at the highest level: consistency, continuity, desire, and attitude.

“With this, you win many matches. On a playing level, we also need this offensive aggression. We had many balls in the last 30 meters that we should have finished in another way. On an emotional and motivational level, therefore, we must certainly always be at the top.”

The second leg is scheduled for next week, Tuesday to be precise, and Milan are hoping that the home advantage will make all of the difference. Turning around a one-goal deficit is certainly doable, but ideally it would have been at least a draw.