Sergio Conceicao says that ending within the prime eight of the Champions League league part is the second of two aims he set when he was appointed as Milan coach the start of 2025, however warns that the Rossoneri had simply 40 minutes of coaching on the pitch to organize for Wednesday’s recreation in opposition to Dinamo Zagreb.
The Rossoneri are aiming to complete the league part within the prime eight, which can safe a spot within the spherical of 16 with out having to undergo the play-offs. All 36 groups will concurrently play on Wednesday night time within the ultimate spherical of league part fixtures.
Milan are in Croatia to face a Dinamo Zagreb aspect at the moment led by Fabio Cannavaro. Whereas a degree may very well be sufficient to safe a prime eight end, the Rossoneri require three factors to maintain the scenario below their very own management.
As is a typical criticism earlier than Champions League matches, Conceicao briefly raised the problem of an over-congested fixture schedule, as Milan will play in three completely different competitions throughout their subsequent three matches.
“We had 40 minutes on the pitch with the entire group at present. For me, it’s not perfect, however we already knew that. We’ve studied and can attempt to play an excellent recreation and get the win,” the Rossoneri coach throughout his pre-match press convention.
Conceicao performs down Calabria confrontation
Conceicao was not notably all in favour of discussing in Serie A over the weekend, an occasion that he described as ‘uninteresting’.
“We don’t want uninteresting occasions to shake us up. That comes with exhausting work, with the motivation to play in one of the best membership competitors on the earth. We need to finish the league part in the absolute best means. We now have motivation day by day that we go to Milanello. We now have a accountability to defend a membership like Milan, that’s an important factor.”
Requested if Alvaro Morata requires a relaxation forward of the Derby della Madonnina in opposition to metropolis rivals Inter this weekend, Conceicao replied: “I perceive the query, however now we have to assume game-by-game.
“I don’t make predictions for 2 video games upfront, that’s no good. After we do this, the outcomes aren’t good. We now have to give attention to tomorrow, which is vital to realize our second objective. The primary was to win the Supercoppa and we did that properly. The second is to complete within the prime eight within the Champions League.
“We are going to take into consideration the derby on Thursday, already once we’re on the airplane returning residence.”
“There are a number of video games left to go, the objective for now’s to complete within the prime 4 within the league. As I mentioned within the earlier query, we are able to’t take into consideration the derby on Saturday, not to mention the Champions League.
The place do Milan want to enhance?
Conceicao additionally gave an evaluation of the place he thinks Milan are, as it’s nearly precisely one month since he was appointed because the successor to Paulo Fonseca.
“There are many moments in matches the place I want to see the group enhance. Typically we do properly, different instances not a lot. I’m speaking concerning the high quality of play, how we occupy area, the defensive transitions. Coaches all the time search for perfection, we’re engaged on all of those particulars.
“It’s not an excuse, however now we have no time. I like to coach with the gamers on the pitch, to see the gaps, the corrections we have to make. However I see optimistic issues in addition to the issues that haven’t improved but. The boys imagine. It’s higher to play a relaxed recreation than need to pull off a comeback.”
Conceicao additionally gave gis verdict on the Milan squad, insisting that he’s ‘blissful’ with the gamers he has at his disposal.
“I see a bunch of excellent people. They’re good folks. They perceive that I’ve my beliefs in soccer and in life. They understand how we work as a bunch and they’re very respectful, as am I. I got here in and altered a number of issues and so they accepted it. It doesn’t all the time appear to be we’ve modified the way in which that we play, however there are nonetheless a number of issues we need to alter. I’m proud of this group.”
