Conceicao: ‘Milan has character, Leao can be the best in the world’

Sergio Conceicao insists the most important thing is that Milan ‘have character’ after their 3-2 Supercoppa Italiana comeback win over Inter. ‘Rafael Leao can become the best in the world.’

The new coach could not have asked for a better start to his career on the Rossoneri bench, having completed a comeback in the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final to beat Juventus 2-1 and then repeating the trick in the final.

His men were 2-0 down until the 51st^St minutes to the Lautaro Martinez and Mehdi Taremi Inter goals, but the introduction of the not fully fit Rafael Leao made the difference as he had a hand in all three goals from Theo Hernandez, Christian Pulisic and Tammy Abraham.

It took a very long time for Conceicao to reach the media center for his post-match interviews, has been seen dancing with a giant cigar in the dressing room.

Sergio Conceicao has transformed Milan

“I am very happy for the players, because it was not easy. The atmosphere wasn’t the best when I arrived, there wasn’t much time to work on the details before these two games and we were up against two top level teams.” Conceicao told Sport Mediaset.

“The players were magical, they absorbed everything we discussed and there are obviously things we need to improve, but they are aware of that. I feel with humility we can have some great months together in the Champions League, Serie A and take Milan where it deserves to be.

“Now we are happy, we are celebrating and from tomorrow we start to focus on Cagliari.”

After saying he got angry with the Milan players at half-time in the semi-final against Juventus, and turned it around to win 2-1, what did Conceicao say to them at half-time on this occasion?

“There were a few things we had to adjust both in defense and attack, but it was a heavy blow to concede a throw-in and then concede another goal right after the restart when you didn’t read the long ball.

“However, it means the team has character because they managed to turn games around twice and beat big sides. A coach has to make adjustments during a game, that’s what they pay me for.”

Conceicao was frustrated during the semi-final against Juventus that his side defended too deep, whereas on this night they seemed to press Inter much higher.

“Exactly, if we want to be solid, we have to keep the team close together and keep fit,” confirmed the coach.

“We can do even better, but defenders and midfielders must have courage. If we talk about the great Milan, it must not be afraid or sit back in defense.

“It’s very important for me to do that, it’s not easy to formulate the defensive movement with so little time to work on it, but it’s all internationals, they’re intelligent and quickly learned what we had to do to win .”

Rafael Leao was not 100 percent fit, but made a huge difference when he came on and had a hand in all three goals.

“Leao is phenomenal. I’ve known him for a long time, he’s Portuguese like me, but he’s more relaxed Portuguese and I’m more tense,” Conceicao explained.

“He has to learn a few things and then I believe he can become the best player in the world. I have told him as well, he has so much individual quality and if he puts that to the service of the team he can be even better.

“I have no doubt he can be the best in the world next season if he learns those things.”