Conceicao: ‘Milan lack football basics, it’s about pride’ | OneFootball

Sergio Conceicao again lashed out at Milan for their lack of ‘football basics’ and mentality after defeat at Dinamo Zagreb left them in the Champions League play-offs.

The Rossoneri had won five Champions League games in a row and put themselves in a strong position to go straight into the Round of 16.

However, they never looked in the running for a victory away to Fabio Cannavaro’s Dinamo Zagreb this evening, conceding when Matteo Gabbia fell over on the Martin Baturina strike, then Yunus Musah was sent off.

Christian Pulisic got them back on level terms, but Marko Pjaca pounced on another defensive error to seal the 2-1 result.

Once again, Conceicao was visibly furious with his players for their attitude, which was extremely sluggish in the first half.

“The incidents went against us, but aside from that we lacked football basics in the first half,” Conceicao told Sky Sport Italia.

“The sport is made up of duels, both attacking and defending, of aggression. For the first 20-25 minutes we got to the final third and then tried to take an extra touch, or didn’t finish, didn’t shoot at all, these are individual errors. Mistakes can happen, but we need to do more.

“With the red card, it all got more complicated, we got our heads down and tried to get back into it. We equalised, tried to win the game and then another individual error was costly. At this level, even when teams have little to play for, they are still tough and we need to be ready.”

Conceicao inherited endemic Milan problems

epa11862180 Dinamo’s Luka Stojkovic (L) in action against Milan�s Rafael Leao during the UEFA Champions League match between Dinamo Zagreb and AC Milan in Zagreb, Croatia, 29 January 2025. EPA-EFE/ANTONIO BAT

Stefano Pioli and Paulo Fonseca both criticised the Milan players for their lack of determination and mentality, so is this an endemic problem and can it be solved?

“That depends on the pride in each of us, where they want their careers to go. We can talk about tactics, systems, dynamics, but at times we have seen – and this is not new – we have to be much, much more aggressive in the duels and present in the match,” added Conceicao.

“I liked the second half, we tried to win it down to 10 men. We didn’t manage it, now we have to focus on the next match and try to change this environment around us. We’ve got time to do that and we must do more.”

The coach also confirmed his dislike of post-match interviews and could not wait to leave the media centre, hitting out at the lack of alternatives.

“I had 17 players today, I had Tomori as a right-back, two or three young players on the bench. Some are cup-tied, some are injured, it’s a moment like this. I could’ve come here seeking excuses talking about this stuff, the state of the pitch, the fact the refereeing was not up to the standards of the Champions League, but I don’t want to do that,” said Conceicao before walking off abruptly.

Davide Calabria was suspended today, with Emerson Royal, Malick Thiaw, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Alessandro Florenzi injured, plus new signing Kyle Walker cup-tied.

Milan finished in 13th position and are on track to face Feyenoord or Juventus in the play-offs.