AC Milan Coach Conceicao Confident Despite Napoli Loss

AC Milan coach Sergio Conceicao reflects on his team's 2-1 defeat to Napoli, citing a 'black day' and key player absences.

AC Milan coach Sergio Conceicao lamented a “black day” for his team after they suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat at Napoli on Sunday. Conceicao acknowledged that the absence of key players had significantly impacted his team's performance. “Since I've been here I've never made excuses, even though we played every three days until two weeks ago, but today absolutely everything happened,” the Portuguese manager told reporters.

The list of absentees and injured players was extensive, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek undergoing surgery for acute appendicitis just hours before kick-off. Defender Malick Thiaw was also sidelined due to intestinal problems, while winger Rafael Leao, who came on in the second half, was struggling with physical discomfort following the international break. Conceicao highlighted the challenges posed by these absences, saying, “The doctor called me to tell me that Loftus-Cheek had to undergo surgery, Thiaw had intestinal problems and Leao felt a little pain in his thigh... I don't want to dwell on bad luck, even though it was a black day.”

Conceicao's frustration was evident as he reflected on the defeat, which left Milan ninth in the Serie A standings with 47 points. Despite his disappointment, Conceicao chose not to dwell on the team's misfortunes, instead focusing on the challenges ahead.

FT. pic.twitter.com/uJE9sUcQrI

— AC Milan (@acmilan) March 30, 2025

AC Milan coach Sergio Conceicao acknowledged that his team's performance was subpar, particularly in the first half when they conceded two early goals. However, he drew positives from their second-half response, which saw them come close to equalizing in stoppage time. “(Napoli) managed to escape our pressing too easily in the first half, but we rectified the situation in the second half and we did it with more courage and aggression,” Conceicao said.

Despite the defeat, Conceicao expressed confidence in his team's abilities and the healthy atmosphere within the group. “We were missing something, I have a lot of confidence, the atmosphere in the group is healthy and I don't want to change it,” he stated. The team's focus now shifts to the Coppa Italia semi-finals, where they face Inter Milan in the first leg on Wednesday.

Conceicao emphasized the importance of the Coppa Italia match, stating, “It's an important game, the Coppa Italia is one of the club's objectives.” He also highlighted the need for his team to work on their balance, while praising the players' character. “The players have already shown they have character, we need to continue working on our balance. It's difficult for everyone in this position in the league table, but I have a group that wants to change these results,” Conceicao added.