What D’Aversa told Conceicao about ‘sneaky’ Milan after defeat | OneFootball

Coach Roberto D’Aversa feels Empoli and especially Luca Marianucci paid the price for ‘a deficit of experience’ with Milan, revealing what he told Sergio Conceicao about Santiago Gimenez.

The Tuscans had been given the man advantage when Fikayo Tomori received a second yellow card, even though Lorenzo Colombo was offside before being fouled.

However, 10 minutes later Marianucci was penalised following a VAR On-Field Review for his reaction foul on Gimenez.

“We saw a real deficit of experience between my lads and the Milan players this evening,” D’Aversa told DAZN.

On the red card, the referee viewed the footage and decided to book Gimenez for a push that he considered to be provocation, but showed a straight red card to Marianucci for looking behind him and flicking up a foot to kick the striker in the crotch.

“Gimenez was sneaky, but then when I hear any player described as ‘sneaky’ then I start to think something is not quite right.”

D’Aversa frustrated by another Empoli loss

EMPOLI, ITALY – FEBRUARY 8: Luca Marianucci of Empoli FC reacts and Santiago Gimenez of AC Milan during the Serie A match between Empoli and AC Milan at Stadio Carlo Castellani on February 8, 2025 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

The match was eventually decided with both teams down to 10 men by goals from substitutes Rafael Leao and Gimenez for the 2-0 result.

“We had a big chance in the first half with Colombo off the woodwork, but the real mistake we made was throwing away the opportunity to play with the extra man.”

The DAZN pundits asked D’Aversa what he told Milan boss Sergio Conceicao after the final whistle, seeing as the two had exchanged some words during the game too.

“I congratulated him and he did the same to me, but then I also told him it’s not right to systematically call the fourth official and referee. It was in the heat of the moment and nobody likes to lose.”

Empoli are now without a Serie A victory in two months and managed just two points from their last seven games, but D’Aversa stood up for his squad.

“We have also had a lot of injuries and the performances have been good, including today against Milan. The only time we really got it wrong was 20 minutes against Lecce. I know it’s a bad habit in Italy, but I don’t like people judging based only on results and not taking the performances into consideration.”

That injury crisis might be getting even worse, as Mattia Viti was carried off in agony after his left knee was bent back in an accidental collision with Alex Jimenez.

“We hope it was just a horrible scare.”