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AC Milan coach, Sergio Conceicao, spoke at a press conference after the defeat in the big match against Thiago Motta’s Juventus.

This is the first defeat for Conceicao on the Milan bench. The goals from Mbangula and Weah condemned the Rossoneri. The Portuguese coach, after the match, spoke at a press conference to comment on his team’s defeat.

Milan, Conceicao’s words

Is it also due to the lack of substitutions in certain areas and fatigue? A lack of reaction…

“In the first half, it was a balanced game, we had more chances. Then in the second half, Juventus had more desire to win, more hunger. We could have conceded another goal at the start of the second half because we want to play out from the back under pressure from the opponent: these are things I don’t understand. But I am the one responsible, the coach. The first step to winning a game is wanting to win.”

So, Milan didn’t want to win?

“That’s what I’m saying. But what tiredness, what lack of fuel, come on. The players have everything to recover from previous games, we need to have an empty fridge at home to have more hunger.”

How concerned, or motivated, are you by the characteristic of this team that struggles to put in that extra effort?

“That’s exactly it. I had small teams when I started coaching 13 years ago, teams that weren’t technically great but had incredible hunger and desire. That’s life, we need goals to grow. Once we reach Milan, we need to want even more because we must continue success, hunger, desire with personal goals to reach the end of our careers and be proud of what we have achieved.

What I see is not new, I felt it before because I practically watched all of Milan’s games. It’s me who needs to change the players’ attitude and mindset. I am responsible, I am the coach, and I take responsibility for this defeat because I wasn’t good at halftime with this drop in the second half. Okay, if we miss goals and the opponent is good, that’s fine. But when we lack other things, it’s difficult for me, as a coach, to deal with it.”

In times of difficulty, with many absences, shouldn’t the more experienced players like Theo and Leao be the ones to give a little extra?

“Yes, but I don’t think we should always rely on the more experienced players. The others have their responsibilities, we can’t put all the weight on Theo, Leao, and Mike, it’s not fair. There are also others who can’t hide. It’s football and life. I played for 25 years and I know what it’s like, that in these difficult moments, those with more experience and maturity come out. But no one should hide.

We need to look each other in the eye and see how we can do more, me first, and how to change this situation. It’s not a situation where we are a team that is technically not at the level of the other top teams in Italy, or it’s not that we can’t reach an important moment physically with everyone at their best, at an organizational level we can’t reach high levels. Then there’s another part that, for me, is the most important thing. If you don’t have the foundation, the desire, the hunger, the will to win the game and every duel, as if every duel is decisive: that’s what’s missing here. And as a coach, I take responsibility for changing this situation.”

Regarding the transfer market?

“We are in talks with the club. If you saw Juventus’ substitutions, they were different from our guys. They also came on well, but I don’t want to make excuses. There’s no lack of fuel, because it’s January and we have to play. I don’t find excuses in the transfer market. Of course, I would like something more and we are talking about it in January”.