AC Milan manager Sérgio Conceição has admitted to making mistakes but insists his team must do more to end their current slump as they prepare to face struggling Lecce in Serie A on Saturday.
Milan, currently ninth in the table, are 11 points adrift of the top four and six points outside the European qualification places. With three consecutive defeats, pressure is mounting on Conceição to turn things around.
“I’ve made mistakes, as all coaches do,” he told reporters on Friday.
“In terms of principles and team dynamics, I have my approach, and I always try to make the best decisions. Throughout my career, I’ve had more successes than disappointments.”
The Portuguese coach, who won multiple trophies with Porto—including three Primeira Liga titles—took over at Milan in December but has struggled to implement his vision.
When asked what Milan must do to reverse their fortunes, Conceição was unequivocal: “By getting results. Two things are fundamental: working at maximum effort and improving as a team while also reducing mistakes, unforced errors, and bad luck in matches.
“There is no other way but to work. You don’t believe just for the sake of it—you believe to achieve,” he said.
The manager emphasised that the players must fully commit to the turnaround.
“It was important to work with all the players because, until now, there has never really been time. If you play for Milan and don’t have the desire, that’s already a problem. Wearing this shirt should bring that desire automatically.”
Despite Milan’s struggles this season, Conceição urged his squad to respond with intelligence rather than panic.
“Just because things aren’t going well doesn’t mean we should react without thinking.
“This season, the atmosphere hasn’t been ideal from the start, but we have to focus on what we can control—the performance. The players must take responsibility.”
Milan’s clash with Lecce represents a crucial opportunity to get back on track, but Conceição knows only a strong team effort will be enough to secure the points.
