liver11949864 AC Milan Coach Serge Serge Serge Serious Serie A Series A Creams US Lecs – AC Milan at the Stadium Mare Road of the stage, Italy, 8 2025. EPA-EFE/ABONDANCE
Sergio Conceicao was very pleased with the ‘attitude’ from Milan as they fought back from 2-0 down to beat Lecce 3-2. ‘We were far more organised because we had time to work in training.’
There were already reports the coach could be fired without all three points at the Stadio Via del Mare, so when they went 2-0 down to a Nikola Krstovic brace with two goals ruled offside, some feared the worst.
It took a bit of luck to get them back into the game, as Joao Felix’s wayward effort was deflected in off Antonino Gallo, followed by Christian Pulisic winning and converting a penalty, then meeting the Rafael Leao cross at the far post.
Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Lecce 2-3 Milan
“We had a little more time during the week to prepare for this game, we knew Lecce’s strengths and weaknesses, the players worked hard to do what I asked,” Conceicao told DAZN.
“In terms of dynamism, possession, quality, passing, we did well, scored two goals that were disallowed and then found ourselves 2-0 down. It is true that the second half didn’t start the way we wanted, it looked very difficult at that moment to turn it around, but the character of the players emerged then.
“I was important to attack, but also maintain balance against a side that is very strong on the counter-attacks with pace, and this is what we did. I have to congratulate the squad, because for their attitude, the work they did during the week, these are the foundations we can build on. We so rarely had any chance to work during the week, but it helps to create those foundations and then it is easier to have the right attitude from the start in the match.”
Conceicao still trying to find his Milan’s identity
Sergio Conceicao only replaced sacked Paulo Fonseca on December 30 and made his debut a few days later in the Supercoppa Italiana, so this is the first time he has ever had more than a couple of days to prepare for a match.
“I like to work in training on the pitch, and I don’t want to use that as an excuse, but the pressing we had today was far more organised because we knew the zones where to press, the timing of the press, that all comes from training.
“I am not happy about being out of the Champions League, but on the bright side we do now have time to work in training. They need these things to become a habit so that they can show them on the field.”
Conceicao had radically revamped his team for the starting XI, already missing suspended Mike Maignan and Strahinja Pavlovic, with Emerson Royal and Ruben Loftus-Cheek injured.
He left Rafael Leao, Joao Felix and Youssouf Fofana on the bench, giving Warren Bondo his debut, but Pulisic confirmed himself a difference maker. What does Conceicao feel is the American’s best role?
“Pulisic likes to cut inside and take the central corridor, I wanted to see him between the lines, with Reijnders and Bondo drawing out the Lecce midfielders to create the spaces. Pulisic can play behind the striker, on the wings, he started on the left today, but I feel his best role is cutting towards the centre,” concluded Conceicao.
“He has a lot of quality, but is also very intelligent, so can interpret different roles.”
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