Sergio Conukicao believes that AC Milan can still be eligible for the Champions League this season, even though he is nine points behind the fourth placed Juventus.
Milan will be confronted on Monday with Genoa in the Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris, knowing that a victory is a must to keep their hope to compete in Europe Elite competition next year.
The Rossoneri were undefeated in 13 of their last 14 Series A matches against Genoa (W9 D4), last lost to them in 2020, when they fell to a 2-1 defeat.
But this campaign has been an overwhelming for Milan, despite winning the Supercoppa Italiana against Rivals Inter in Concukicao's second game that was in charge.
The 50-year-old has won 13 of his 26 games in all competitions (D5 L8) since the takeover of fellow countryman Paulo Fonseca in December last year.
And while Conceicao Milan led to the Coppa Italia final, where they will play Bologna, the Portuguese manager acknowledged that there was not much to cheer about.
“We just have to work, it's not as if a change of system automatically solves everything,” said Conkeicao.
“The team showed that it creates opportunities in every match, but we missed balance and defensive firmness.
“We are working on all this, not only as a team, but also the individual mistakes that we cannot afford to bind to this level.”
Conuicao was also able to give an update about the fitness of some of his players, including striker Luka Jovic and on-Loan Manchester City defender Kyle Walker.
“Luka Jovic feels better. He had three training sessions with us,” Conceicao began.
“But Tammy Abraham has a fitness problem, so he is together with Warren Bondo and Riccardo Sottil.
“Kyle Walker is available, he knows how to play in the back three or like a wingback.”
Although he was in ninth place, Conceicao denied that he would give up the competition to let players rest for the Coppa Italia final.
“Every day we come here, there is the responsibility to work for a club like Milan,” said Conceicao.
“The Serie A table is what it is, but we have the responsibility to prove our quality every day, to prove that we are a different team than we sometimes seemed to be.”