Conceicao: ‘Milan concede ridiculous goals with unforced errors’ | OneFootball

Sergio Conceicao insists Milan’s defeat to Torino cannot be blamed on ‘strategy or formations, because we conceded two ridiculous goals’ and explains why he took Rafael Leao off at half-time.

The week went from bad to worse for the Rossoneri, who had already suffered a heavy blow with their elimination from the Champions League play-off to Feyenoord.

It was a disastrous start in Turin too, Mike Maignan kicking a clearance onto Malick Thiaw for a comical own goal, then Vanja Milinkovic-Savic parrying the Christian Pulisic penalty.

Just as Tijjani Reijnders seemingly had got them back on track with an equaliser, Antonio Sanabria took a free kick quickly for Gvidas Gineitis to score the winner.

When the coach finally arrived for his post-match interview, it was put to him not everyone had the fighting spirit of Strahinja Pavlovic right to the final whistle.

“Pavlovic has the characteristics of a warrior,” replied Conceicao on DAZN.

“All players have different personalities. I am sorry for the fans who were present for these last few games. The last 12-15 goals we conceded were pretty much all unforced errors. It’s not about strategy or formations, these are things I often wonder how they are even possible.

“Torino were 1-0 up at half-time without a single shot on goal, whereas we missed a penalty and several other chances. Things happen and we must be stronger when reacting to them. I realise it’s not easy for the players either when Torino’s best player was their goalkeeper and we had 30 attempts on goal.”

Conceicao explains Leao decision for Milan

epa11916402 Torino’s Cesare Casadei and Milan’s Rafael Leao (R) in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Torino FC and AC Milan, in Turin, Italy, 22 February 2025. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO

Sergio Conceicao is already facing criticism from some fans for his decision to substitute Rafael Leao at half-time, replacing him with midfielder Youssouf Fofana when 1-0 down. Was it down to fitness or a technical decision?

“A bit of both. Rafa was not at his best, there are other players and they are all important. I still say we mustn’t focus on substitutions or formations when conceding two ridiculous goals like that, as anyone would suffer in those circumstances.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Torino 2-1 Milan

Yunus Musah was also substituted just five minutes into the restart by Tammy Abraham, so it felt like wasting a slot.

“Musah was booked and it was getting dangerous with the Torino counter-attacks. I had to take a risk and put on more attacking players, but always keeping balance. It was very important for me to send a signal that the players needed to be more present in the final third,” explained Conceicao.

Now Milan fumble a huge opportunity to get closer to the top four in Serie A ahead of their rescheduled trip to Bologna, which is set for Thursday after it was called off in October due to flood warnings.

The fans were jeering and protesting at the final whistle, which does not surprise the coach one bit.

“They are absolutely right to do so. It is on us that we come here and do not win, so naturally there are higher expectations. We are not satisfied when there is criticism on the directors, players or staff. We are Milan and we take the criticism all together,” concluded Conceicao.