AC Milan coach Sergio Concukicao was delighted that his decision to 'gamble' by still giving a victory when back to 10 men were fruit poured against Empoli on Saturday.
After a aimless first half, the Portuguese coach applied for attacking players Santiago Gimenez, Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic, before his side went to 10 men as a result of the second booking by Fikayo Tomori in the 55th minute.
Empoli was also reduced to 10 by Luca Marianucci's straight red before Leao led the opener in the 68th minute, with Gimenez who sealed their 2-0 victory eight minutes later.
“At that time, the temptation was to take off a striker, to use a defender, but I didn't do it,” Conceicao told Dazn.
“I moved (Yunus) Musah to the right and put (Kyle) Walker in Central Defense and Joao Felix a bit deeper. A draw here is like a defeat for Milan, so I had to take the gamble.
“With all due respect for the aggressive nature and direct approach to Empoli, we were the better team everywhere and we took three important points.”
Sérgio Conceição on #empolimilan #sempremilan pic.twitter.com/5VX9SUQA8W
– AC Milan (@acmilan) February 8, 2025
Concuyo was full of praise for his new signature Gimenez after the striker of Mexico made a flying start for life in Italy, after his move from Feyenoord.
“Santi is a quality player, I had already followed him when I was at Porto,” he said.
“Quality works when the players are able to push and play outside of their comfort zone for the greater good, which is the collective of the team. These details can take anyone to a higher level.
“If the players all understand what needs to happen, it will all be much easier and also more pleasant for them. This is the kind of football that I want to see.”
Milan, who is seventh in the Serie A with 38 points, the next game at Feyenoord in the play-offs of the Champions League knockout stage on Wednesday.
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