Sergio Conukicao hopes that AC Milan can overcome their recent difficulties and rediscover their “passion and desire” in the Milan Derby on Sunday.
Conuicao started its time as a Milan coach with an unbeaten run of four games (W3 D1) with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Inter to conquer the Supercoppa Italiana title in January.
A loss of 2-0 for Juventus in mid-January, however, stopped their progress, which means that they have two of their last four trips in all competitions, including a shock 2-1 defeat in Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Wednesday.
It was an expensive defeat in which they misled an automatic qualification place in the last 16, which means that they will get a play-off of two legs instead.
“There is much to improve,” Conceicao told a press conference on Saturday. “We have to work to have the basics.
“As a coach I have always packed my bags because a coach [life is] Like this. “
Against parties in the current top eight of the Serie A table, Milan has only collected five points (W1 D2 L4), less than any other side. Their only such success, however, came across Inter in the reverse match.
“In [the Supercoppa Italiana final in] Riyadh, the players understood that positive energy, a glare in their eyes was needed to play as children, “Confeicao added. I mean that when I am talking about passion and desire. This is what I try to convey.
“[But] As far as the game is concerned, we are still far from what I want. I like a compact team that prints high, with a very high intensity that creates a lot offensive.
“You ask me if I have the players to play this game. At the moment I say no. That's why we play differently … And this is not an excuse, because when I came here I already knew.”
Back to work §#Sempremilanbrogd to you by @Play_Efootball pic.twitter.com/7ILFXSLKNX
– AC Milan (@acmilan) January 30, 2025
Milan started their last first phase match of the Champions League in sixth place after a winning series of five games in the competition, but finished 13th after the defeat by Zagreb.
This month they will now be confronted with Feyenoord about two legs for a place in the knockout rounds.
Milan's last success against a Dutch opponent in major European competitions (excluding qualifications) was in October 2008, in the UEFA Cup against Herenveen. Since then they have three draw and one defeat in four games against such teams.
“I hoped not to play the play -offs, but we will go to work,” said Conceicao.
“Positivity and energy [are important]Sometimes even outside the limit, but then we have to grow. After the first half in Zagreb we cannot go lower. “
Milan is hungry for a derby victory and in a self-assured mood after Simone Inzaghi's side, second in the Serie A and three points of Napoli with a match in hand, a last-16 berth in the Champions League secured by visitors Monaco 3-0.
Milan, also with a game in hand at the top, is in seventh place in the Serie A, 19 points of the pace.
“I stood opposite Inter with Porto, they have not changed much,” said Conukicao. “The players know each other well and it is very positive for them.
“We have to understand what we can do to prevent their game dynamics and attack their weaknesses.”
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