AC Milan is buzzing following Sérgio Conceição's appointment as manager, kicking off with two impressive victories and securing the Italian Super Cup trophy. The Portuguese coach took the reins at the end of December 2024 after the dismissal of Paulo Fonseca, and the early signs of his influence are already apparent after just over a week on the job.
Conceição's debut match unfolded dramatically as Milan fought back to beat Juventus 2-1 in the semifinal of the Italian Super Cup. This momentum continued, culminating with a thrilling 3-2 comeback win against Inter Milan, earning the Rossoneri the trophy. Notably passionate, Conceição’s fiery temperament was on display when, after conceding just before halftime against Inter, he reportedly broke a television. Zlatan Ibrahimović humorously remarked, "Lucky he had a fever, if not he would have broken more than a television," reflecting the intensity Conceição brings to the club.
The new manager is not just about his fiery methods; he has quickly established a culture of courage, combativeness, and above all, a relentless desire to win. Ibrahimović, now functioning as a club adviser after his playing career, echoed this sentiment, urging the team, "When a team has this desire to win, it’s hard to be beaten. You showed this today.”
Conceição's player management appears to be another factor driving this shift. He has successfully managed to rekindle the spirits of players who previously struggled under Fonseca. Rafael Leão, once on the verge of seeking new opportunities away from Milan, now shines brightly under Conceição’s leadership. "What the coach has done in a few days is incredible. There is a change ... there is a mentality ... to win," said Leão, highlighting the positive environment the new coach has cultivated.
Known for his pragmatic coaching style, Conceição adopts formations such as 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1, favoring vertical ball movement and physical play over possession. The results of this approach are clear, as demonstrated by his history of success at FC Porto, where he clinched multiple league titles and developed numerous talents who moved on to high-profile clubs across Europe.
Reflecting on his career, Conceição noted, “I really wanted to come back to Italy, a country which welcomed me warmly.” His desire to succeed at AC Milan is evidently rooted not only in nostalgia but also ambition. He aims to leverage his years of experience to guide Milan, currently eighth in Serie A, back to its former glory. With two games still to play, the team is also positioning for a strong finish to the Champions League group stage after winning four matches straight.
The upcoming schedule is packed for Milan, with four matches over the next 11 days, including key encounters against Cagliari, Como, and Juventus, coupled with a Champions League fixture against Girona. Milan remains 17 points behind league leaders Napoli, though Conceição’s influence might render them serious contenders once more. Ibrahimović stated, “Now we’re going back to Italy, so let’s bring this mentality and pick up points to get to where we should be.” With every match, the team looks to build on the momentum Conceição has sparked.
With the combination of Conceição’s experience and his commitment to instilling resilience within his squad, AC Milan fans are optimistic about the path forward. Will this new era under Conceição deliver lasting success for the historic club? Only time will tell, but the early signs are definitely promising.