AC Milan Coach Conceicao Seeks Improvement Despite Super Cup Triumph

AC Milan coach Sergio Conceicao says the team must stay focused and improve despite their Italian Super Cup win over Inter Milan.

AC Milan coach Sergio Conceicao is calling for his team to remain grounded and focused on improvement, despite their thrilling Italian Super Cup win over Inter Milan on Monday. Conceicao, who was appointed as Milan manager just a week ago, guided his new team to their first trophy under his leadership.

The Portuguese coach emphasized that Milan need to get back to reality when they host struggling Cagliari in Serie A on Saturday. Milan's Super Cup victory was a thrilling 3-2 comeback win, sealed by Tammy Abraham's stoppage-time goal. However, Conceicao is keen to ensure his team does not get carried away with the triumph and instead focuses on continued improvement.

AC Milan coach Sergio Conceicao emphasized that winning the Italian Super Cup is not enough for a club of Milan's stature. “I think that those who think that winning a Super Cup is enough cannot work at Milan,” Conceicao told a press conference on Friday. “It's true, we enjoyed it and deserved it, but we are 17 points off the top of the table. A club that has won 19 championships and seven Champions Leagues cannot have their belly full with the Super Cup.”

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Conceicao urged his team to focus on their next match against Cagliari, rather than basking in the glory of their Super Cup win. “So let's focus on tomorrow, we have to win and convince. The Super Cup is over,” he said. Despite equaling Inter's record of eight Super Cup wins, Conceicao remained level-headed about the achievement, seeking further improvement from his team.

Conceicao identified areas for improvement, particularly in pressing, following the Super Cup win. “One of the things that didn't go well in the derby in my opinion is that we made mistakes in pressing,” Conceicao said. “There are many things that need to be improved, without a doubt. The right way to experience success is to think that there is another one ahead of us that is much more important.”

The AC Milan coach revealed that he had already shifted his focus to the next match during the flight back from the Super Cup victory. “I enjoyed it, I even danced, but already on the plane back I was thinking about tomorrow's match,” Conceicao said. However, Milan will be without midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek against 17th-placed Cagliari. “He has a small problem and won't be there tomorrow,” Conceicao told reporters. “I'm sorry because he was growing physically.”

AC Milan coach Sergio Conceicao revealed that he has not yet discussed transfer targets with the club's leadership, preferring to focus on the team's upcoming matches. “I'll tell you the truth: the management tried to talk to me once or twice about these issues, but at the wrong times in my opinion, because there are matches (to be played),” Conceicao said. “I prefer to talk about it at the right time. I know we have to talk about it, but not now. The most important thing is tomorrow.”

Conceicao remained tight-lipped about reports linking Milan with a move for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford. When asked about the rumors, Conceicao simply stated, “Rashford is a good player like many others, let's see what happens.” The AC Milan coach's cautious response did little to shed light on the club's potential transfer plans.