Sergio Conceicao has introduced again the feelgood issue to AC Milan because the seven-time European champions host Cagliari on Saturday nonetheless on a excessive from a dramatic Italian Tremendous Cup overcome native rivals and Serie A kings Inter Milan.
Little has gone proper for Milan this season, with supporters demanding American house owners RedBird promote the membership as inconsistent performances and outcomes left certainly one of Italy’s footballing giants miles off the title tempo.
However the method with which Conceicao has began his San Siro reign, changing compatriot Paulo Fonseca simply as Milan set off for Saudi Arabia and commandeering his new group to 2 high quality wins over Juventus and Inter, has fully modified the ambiance across the membership.
Two objectives down a minute into the second half of Monday’s remaining in Riyadh, few would have again Milan to bounce again towards Italian champions Inter.
However Milan confirmed the kind of braveness hardly ever seen this season to grab victory deep in stoppage time, simply as Conceicao did on his taking part in debut in Italy in 1998, when the Portuguese scored a last-gasp aim to win the Tremendous Cup for Lazio.
Movies of Conceicao dancing for his gamers whereas smoking a chunky cigar in triumph instantly flew round social media and had been shared by delighted followers in discussion groups, celebrating an sudden success and goading rivals Interisti who’ve lorded it over Milan in latest seasons.
“As quickly as we obtained again into the dressing room the gamers requested me to bounce and smoke a cigar as a result of they knew that it is my ritual after I win a trophy,” mentioned Conceicao.
Combative, charismatic Conceicao suits the profile followers wished in the summertime after they demanded league-leading Napoli boss Antonio Conte and the 50-year-old now has to information Milan to the Champions League spots.
Milan are eighth and path fourth-placed Lazio, who host Como on Friday hoping to bounce again from a Rome derby defeat, by eight factors having performed two matches fewer.
A type of video games in hand is at Como on Tuesday night because the Tremendous Cup contenders — the Milan golf equipment, Juventus and Atalanta — play the league fixtures they missed simply after the flip of the yr.
And Conceicao will see whether or not Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez’s sensational performances towards Inter are an indication of issues to come back from two gamers who ceaselessly clashed with Fonseca.
“After this type of win gamers can lose motivation and get complacent,” added Conceicao.
“That may’t occur as a result of we have to preserve displaying that we have now a winner’s angle. Milan don’t belong in seventh or eighth place within the league.”
Inter will attempt to minimize the four-point hole separating them from Napoli at struggling Venezia the place coach Simone Inzaghi will likely be with out injured midfield talisman Hakan Calhanoglu.
Nevertheless Marcus Thuram, who missed the Tremendous Cup remaining, needs to be again for a packed schedule through which Inter host Bologna on Wednesday after which have two Champions League fixtures in as many weeks, with direct qualification for the final 16 but to be secured.
Participant to look at: Charles De Ketelaere
Atalanta enter a key interval for his or her unprecedented Scudetto bid and star attacker De Ketelaere will likely be essential with house clashes towards Juventus and Napoli coming subsequent week.
Belgium ahead De Ketelaere has scored 10 instances and arrange 9 extra in all competitions this season and can line up alongside Ademola Lookman in an uncommon strike pairing of two wingers at Udinese on Saturday afternoon.
Italy striker Mateo Retegui is unlikely to be again earlier than the go to of Napoli and will but miss subsequent weekend’s conflict on the Gewiss Stadium which is able to present a severe take a look at of their league title credentials.
Atalanta path Napoli by three factors however will play their recreation in hand on Tuesday towards Juve, who first tackle native rivals Torino on Saturday.
Fixtures (instances GMT)
Friday
Lazio v Como (1945)
Saturday
Empoli v Lecce, Udinese v Atalanta (1400), Torino v Juventus (1700), AC Milan v Cagliari (1945)
Sunday
Genoa v Parma (1130), Venezia v Inter Milan (1400), Bologna v Roma (1700), Napoli v Verona (1945)
Monday
Monza v Fiorentina (1945)
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