AC Milan had control over their third derby win of the season until Inter Milan scored a late goal at the San Siro on Sunday. Although manager Sergio Conceicao was clearly disappointed, he acknowledged that the 1-1 draw was the most just outcome.
Milan had emerged victorious in both previous encounters this season, including a 3-2 win over their rivals in the Italian Super Cup last month, under Conceicao’s leadership. However, their hopes of completing a hat-trick were dashed by Stefan de Vrij’s goal in added time.
“We displayed the desired attitude on the field. Inter Milan, being familiar with each other, posed numerous challenges to their opponents. It was crucial for us to neutralize their strengths and capitalize on their weaknesses,” explained Conceicao in an interview with Sky Sports.
“Obviously, we are disappointed because we lost two points. However, witnessing the jubilation they expressed at the end, I believe that a draw is a fair result. Nevertheless, mistakes always come at a cost.”
“I believe that in the upcoming match, now that the transfer market is closed, we will approach it with a calmer mindset and be able to start afresh for the next four months with strength.” Despite the performance of his team against the reigning champions, the manager still identifies areas for improvement, and Conceicao expressed what he aims to instill in his squad. “In terms of mentality, we need consistency. It is non-negotiable; if there is no desire to play football, something is amiss,” he stated. “On a tactical and game dynamics level, there are certain elements missing. We attempted to press higher up the pitch, but it resulted in gaps in our midfield, which is undesirable. “In my view, the defensive phase is intricately linked to the offensive phase. When you attack effectively and occupy space efficiently, you are prepared to react when possession is lost.”
