Sergio Conceicao has not been in office for long. And yet the new Milan coach already exudes an aura that seems to give the Rossoneri a new hunger.
First things first: AC Milan hadn’t played that badly under predecessor Paulo Fonseca, especially in the Champions League (12th place after six games, thanks in part to a 3-1 win at defending champions Real Madrid), and up until his dismissal, they had only lost one of twelve competitive games – including seven wins and four draws.
But somehow the chemistry was not right and, especially at the beginning of the season, the Serie A results were not good, which is why the team is currently only in 8th place, well behind the top.
A nice record
The bosses’ solution: sacking Fonseca and hiring his Portuguese compatriot Sergio Conceicao, who was the face of FC Porto between 2017 and 2024. Right from the start, the 50-year-old ex-Serie A player (Lazio, Parma, Inter) had also announced: “We will do good.”
And lo and behold: the Rossoneri won the Supercoppa Italia right from the start – first with a 2-1 comeback win after trailing 1-0 to record champions Juventus, then this Monday with a spectacular 3-2 comeback win after trailing 2-0 in the Derby della Madonnina against arch-rival and Conceiçao’s former club Inter. It was in the derby with the Nerazzurri that the team really came to life in the second half.
A title after just two games in the job? It’s something the proud Lombards hadn’t seen in almost 100 years (since 1929/30, according to OptaPaolo). The last time a feat of this kind was achieved so early on was in the 2016 Super Cup by former striker and coach Vincenzo Montella (currently the Turkey coach), who took charge of his side in his 16th game in charge.
“Something magical”
But it is also clear that the Rossoneri now have one more title in the club’s museum (Casa Milan). But the new coach has not yet earned any Serie A points either; he will not have the chance to do so until the clash with Cagliari on Saturday.
That’s why Sergio Conceicao, who was visibly moved after the late winning goal and during the presentation ceremony in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) and kissed 3-2 scorer Tammy Abraham on the head, immediately returned the focus to the essentials afterwards.
“I’m really happy for the players, it wasn’t easy,” said the new hope at Sport Mediaset. “The atmosphere here when I arrived wasn’t the best. And we didn’t have much time together before we met two top teams.” But his players have “something magical, they have absorbed everything I have taught them in the short time. But of course there is still a lot we need to improve. However, I know, with all due modesty, that we can have a great few months together in the Champions League and Serie A. To lead Milan to where it belongs.”
