AC Milan head coach Sergio Conceicao expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance following their 1-1 draw against Inter Milan in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final. The Portuguese tactician believes the result accurately reflects the balance of play and sets the stage for an exciting second leg.

Tammy Abraham opened the scoring for Milan, reminiscent of his goal in the Supercoppa Italiana Final earlier this year. However, Inter’s Hakan Calhanoglu equalized with a powerful long-range strike, leaving the tie finely poised ahead of the return fixture on April 23.

Conceicao praised the team’s tactical discipline, stating, “The players understood their roles and executed our game plan effectively. We maintained a solid defensive structure against a formidable opponent, which I’m pleased with.”

The coach highlighted the importance of fan support, saying, “I want to express my gratitude to our supporters, who created an incredible atmosphere and backed the team throughout the match.”

While acknowledging Inter’s set-piece threat, Conceicao felt the overall contest was evenly matched. He emphasized the team’s evolution, noting, “We must continue this positive trajectory to achieve our goal of reaching the Coppa Italia Final and ultimately winning the trophy.”

Conceicao also shed light on Milan’s tactical approach, explaining how they sought to exploit Inter’s defensive setup through quick, direct passes to stretch the opposition midfield. He admitted that while this strategy showed promise, there’s room for improvement in its execution.

The coach expressed optimism about the team’s progress, citing recent performances as evidence of increased solidity and balance. “In the second half against Napoli and again tonight, I saw a more compact team, which is the style I prefer,” Conceicao concluded.

With the tie delicately balanced, all eyes now turn to the second leg, where Milan will aim to secure their place in the Coppa Italia Final against either Bologna or Empoli.