Conceicao: Torino Clash is Like a Champions League Final for AC Milan

AC Milan head coach Sergio Conceicao says the team's upcoming match against Torino is like a Champions League final and a must-win.

AC Milan head coach Sergio Conceicao revealed on Friday that right-back Kyle Walker will be absent for the team's Serie A trip to Torino this weekend due to injury. Walker, a loan signing from Manchester City in January, has made six appearances for Milan so far. Conceicao's team is dealing with multiple injury concerns as they seek to bounce back from their Champions League exit at the hands of Feyenoord.

Conceicao provided an update on the availability of several key players ahead of the Torino match. “Walker is not available. For the rest, it will depend on everyone's situation... (Christian) Pulisic certainly doesn't have 90 minutes on a physical level,” Conceicao told reporters. He also expressed caution regarding the fitness of other players, including Santiago Gimenez, who is recovering from an injury.

Regarding Gimenez's status, Conceicao stated, “(Santiago) Gimenez is getting better every day, but he's still not at the top we want him to be. For the way I want to play, he has to be at the top physically, he has to be intense over 90 minutes.” Conceicao acknowledged the challenges of managing a team with multiple injuries, particularly given the demanding schedule of playing every three days.

Conceicao reflected on the difficulties he has faced since taking over as Milan's head coach, saying, “I found many players struggling and many injured when I arrived. I'm also thinking of (Ruben) Loftus-Cheek. Now Walker. But playing every three days, in the time I've been here, we're always on the edge, and it's not easy to manage.” Milan currently sits seventh in the Serie A standings, five points behind fourth-placed Juventus, who have played one more game.

A Crucial Clash Awaits AC Milan

AC Milan head coach Sergio Conceicao has emphasized the importance of their upcoming match against Torino, acknowledging the difficulty of the challenge ahead. “Without a doubt, it is a very important match against a difficult opponent, they only lost to Bologna in 2025, and historically, it is a difficult challenge for Milan,” Conceicao said. He stressed that the team must approach the match with the right mindset, saying, “The attitude must be that tomorrow is our Champions League final, and we will have to do so in every challenge from here to the end.”

Coach Conceição previews #TorinoMilan 🎙️

⚔️ Torino's game
💼 Work and dedication
👊 Moving forward#SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/skQc7GubTX

— AC Milan (@acmilan) February 21, 2025

Conceicao, who joined Milan in December, is no stranger to pressure, having previously managed Porto. The 50-year-old, who replaced Paulo Fonseca, is contracted to Milan until June 2026. Conceicao expressed his deep respect for Milan's rich history, saying, “I know that Milan's history is fabulous, made up of great protagonists among coaches, players, and managers. I have enormous respect for this history.” He also acknowledged the added scrutiny that comes with managing a team of Milan's stature, stating, “At the moment when you don't win, in a team of this size, there is more talk and more fragility.”

Conceicao, however, is undaunted by the challenge, revealing that he chose to join Milan because of the difficulty involved. “I knew it would be difficult. I am here because it is a great challenge for me. I had other offers, but I chose here because I like difficult things,” he said.