Conceiçao: Milan’s Priorities Lie in Coppa Italia Success, Not Thwarting Inter’s Treble Aspirations
AC Milan manager Sergio Conceiçao has emphasized that the team’s motivation for the upcoming Coppa Italia semifinal against Inter Milan is not centered on disrupting their city rivals’ potential treble. Instead, the focus remains on their own journey and aspirations for the season.
As Milan prepares to face Inter in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semifinals on Wednesday, Conceiçao addressed the media, touching on various topics including team injuries, tactical approaches, and the significance of the match.
“Our motivation stems from our own work and ambitions, not from our opponents,” Conceiçao stated. “We aim to deliver an exceptional performance and maintain a high level of competitiveness. Each match presents its own unique challenges.”
The manager acknowledged Inter’s impressive run in multiple competitions but insisted that Milan’s focus remains on their own objectives. “We congratulate Inter on their Champions League and Serie A campaigns. For us, this match is crucial as we aim to secure this trophy for our supporters,” he added.
Conceiçao also provided updates on player availability, noting that Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Kyle Walker, while not at peak fitness, will be available for selection following their participation in a full training session.
Regarding tactical decisions, the coach remained flexible, stating, “Our defensive setup may involve a fifth element, depending on our match strategy and the opponent’s approach. We need to capitalize on their weaknesses while remaining vigilant of their strengths.”
When questioned about the team’s performance this season, Conceiçao preferred to reserve judgment until the campaign’s conclusion. “At the end of the season, we’ll discuss our journey over the past six months, analyzing our successes and areas for improvement,” he concluded.