Conceicao Explains Why AC Milan Are Not Ready to Play with Two Strikers

AC Milan coach Sergio Conceicao discusses his approach to getting consistency from key players, sets a 20-goal target for Rafael Leao, and explains why playing with two strikers is not currently an option.

AC Milan coach Sergio Conceicao has expressed his desire for new signings before the January transfer market closes. Conceicao made this admission during a press conference previewing the team's upcoming match against Juventus on Saturday night.

Sergio Conceicao was asked about his expectations for the match against Juventus, given that it will be the third time the two teams have faced each other in the last month and a half. He emphasized the balance between the two teams and the unique challenges each match presents. “There is balance, they are two strong teams. Two teams that have very interesting players, but all the matches are different,” he said. Conceicao also acknowledged that Juventus played a strong match against Atalanta and that his team needs to focus on the details to come out on top. “Tomorrow we have to face a team that played a good match against Atalanta, we are working on small things that for me are big things, given what we have available in terms of time.”

Conceicao highlighted the team's busy schedule, with several important matches lined up until the beginning of February, including Champions League, league, and Coppa Italia fixtures. He emphasized the need for his team to be prepared and have the right attitude to achieve their goals. “But we have little time, there are many matches, important matches. Until the beginning of February we play in the Champions League, the league and the Coppa Italia. We have to be ready, we have to have the right attitude to reach our goals.”

AC Milan coach Sergio Conceicao provided an update on Christian Pulisic's injury status, confirming that the player will not be available for the upcoming match. “Pulisic is out, I don't want to bluff. He's still a bit sore, but I don't want to risk it. It's nothing serious, but if he plays twenty minutes he risks making his situation worse and I don't want that,” Conceicao explained.

Conceicao was also asked about the readiness of young player Francesco Camarda. The coach praised Camarda's potential, highlighting his hunger, talent, and willingness to learn. “He's young, he has his own path to follow, but he's starting from an important base: he's hungry, talented and willing,” Conceicao said.

The conversation turned to the topic of transfers, with Conceicao expressing his reservations about the January transfer market. He emphasized the importance of balancing the group and noted that the transfer market is not the most pressing concern for him at the moment. “I don't like the January transfer market that much: it's open for too long and always creates negative emotions in the players. The group needs to be balanced. The transfer market is not the most important thing for me today. After the match: I'm talking to the management,” Conceicao stated. He also acknowledged the challenges of finding players who can improve the team, given the time constraints. “You know that it's not easy to buy players who can give something more to this group. There's no time. We try to talk among ourselves and we agree on what we want.”

AC Milan coach Sergio Conceicao was asked about his priorities in the transfer market, specifically whether he is looking to sign a defender, midfielder, or striker. However, Conceicao declined to provide a direct answer, choosing to focus on the upcoming match instead. “A win tomorrow. I understand your curiosity, but excuse me: my thoughts are on the match. There's no point in trying to beat around the bush to avoid answering about the market,” he said.

Conceicao was also questioned about the recent form of midfielders Youssouf Fofana and Ismael Bennacer, who have struggled to find consistency in recent games. Conceicao emphasized the importance of teamwork and adaptation, suggesting that the two players can coexist effectively with the right approach. “With work. My job is exactly that. Each player in his role must marry well with the others. I don't think that Bennacer and Fofana can't coexist, on the contrary,” he said. Conceicao even revealed that both Fofana and Bennacer will start in the upcoming match, which is unusual for him to disclose. “Tomorrow they will both play. Normally I never do that, I don't say who plays. But the formation that comes out in the newspapers is always right, but it's not a criticism (smiles, ed.).” Conceicao highlighted the need for balance in the team, particularly in transitioning from defense to attack. “They can coexist, they must understand what to do when we have the ball to get to attack with balance. It's this balance that we want in the team, to not take the opponents' transition.”

AC Milan coach Sergio Conceicao was asked if he would participate in a pre-match interview if requested to do so tomorrow. Conceicao jokingly replied that he would send someone else instead, citing his preoccupation with other matters. “I'll send someone else. It's impossible. I can't even think of the right thing, then maybe I'll say the wrong things because I'm thinking about other things,” he said.

🎙️ Sérgio Conceição discusses...

✅ Positives
🛡️ Solidity
📈 Mentality#JuveMilan #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/R682FKJlhC

— AC Milan (@acmilan) January 17, 2025

Conceicao addressed the controversy surrounding the captain's armband, which has been given to goalkeeper Mike Maignan. The coach downplayed the importance of the issue, emphasizing that every player has a role to play. “I saw that there was controversy over the captain's armband. But for me, that's not important. Everyone has to speak,” Conceicao said. He praised Maignan's leadership qualities and winning mentality, as well as those of Theo Hernandez, who has surpassed the legendary Paolo Maldini. “I chose, but they don't have to worry about it: Mike has to worry about not conceding goals and then he also has his personality that I like, because he's a winner. Theo is the same, he surpassed a legend like Paolo and he's a great player. For me, it's a pleasure to coach them.”

Conceicao was asked about the future of defender Fikayo Tomori at Milan, but he declined to discuss transfer matters. Instead, he spoke about the importance of mental toughness and pushing players to reach their full potential. “Let's not talk about the market today. The physical aspect is important, but there are six months to go, and we are not at the end of the season,” Conceicao said. He emphasized the need for players to challenge themselves and strive for excellence, even when they are not at their physical best. “We have 80 people who work in different fields: nutritionists, we have everything here. It's a mental issue, but we also work on this and we are working on this too. The potential sometimes is not discovered because you don't leave your comfort zone. Tomorrow the limit will be even higher, you have to put a carrot in front of you. You think that being at Milan is fine like this, but that's not good. The physique is important, but it's important how each person talks to themselves and if they can give more, even if you are not at the top physically.”

AC Milan coach Sergio Conceicao was asked if he has discovered the secret to getting more consistency from key players Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao. Conceicao emphasized the importance of training and recovery in achieving consistency. “I think this consistency is always linked to training. They recover the day after the game, then there is the second and then on the third day, we are already talking about the game,” he said. Conceicao specifically highlighted his conversations with Leao, who has impressive physical abilities. “Today I spoke with Leao, he has an incredible ability on physical tests. There are indications that, he can do much more at this level.”

Conceicao expressed his desire to see Leao improve his goal-scoring numbers, setting a target of 20 goals for the season. “And I am working on this. Inside his game he will definitely improve the numbers: I don't want him to be happy with 10 goals, he must aim to score 20,” Conceicao said. He emphasized that Leao is aware of the areas where he needs to improve and that their conversations have been productive. “He knows what he has to improve, I spoke to him about it. Now going on the pitch is difficult because there are too many games, he has understood what to improve and it is a good start for me.”

Conceicao was asked about the possibility of playing with two strikers, but he explained that the team is not currently suited to this system. “The point is not to play with two strikers, but the two strikers with the two attacking wingers: the team is not prepared for that,” he said. Conceicao emphasized the importance of balance in the team's approach, although he did express a preference for playing with two strikers. “When there is a risk, I risk with four attackers. But balance is very important. With the time we have to work it will be difficult, but I like to play with two strikers. I would not be smart to propose it like this: the players are not suited to this system now.”