Conceicao: ‘This is the Milan I like to see’ after balanced 1-1 draw with Inter

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 02: Sergio Conceicao, Head Coach of AC Milan, looks on from the dugout prior to the Coppa Italia Semi Final match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 02, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Sergio Conceicao insists the Milan that drew 1-1 with Inter in the Coppa Italia semi-final was ‘a more solid team, the kind that I like to see,’ that aims to win the trophy.

The Rossoneri had gone in front with Tammy Abraham, who had also scored in the Supercoppa Italiana Final on January 6, but Hakan Calhanoglu fired in from distance to draw level.

This keeps the tie perfectly in the balance, so it will all be decided in the second leg on April 23, with the winner going on to face Bologna or Empoli in the Coppa Italia Final.

“I think the result was fair, now we wait for the second leg and have this chance to go to the Final in Rome, which we all really want,” Conceicao told Sport Mediaset.

“I would like to thank the crowd, who were fantastic this evening in their support for the team. The players understood what they were supposed to do, it was a balanced match against a difficult opponent where we had to be intelligent defensively, we did that, and I am happy with it.”

Mike Maignan had to make several big saves late on to keep the scoreline level, denying Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Nicola Zalewski from close range.

“We too had chances, I didn’t see Inter make that many moves to go clear. They had two set plays in the first half that caused problems, we knew they were strong on those situations, but it was overall pretty even and the result was fair,” continued Conceicao.

“I am truly happy with this approach and attitude. The second half against Napoli was also good, so we must continue this evolution to reach our objective, which is to reach the Coppa Italia Final and win the trophy.”

Conceicao reveals how Milan are changing approach

It was put to Conceicao that their most dangerous situations were caused by cross-field passes to move the Inter defenders out of position, but Milan still didn’t do it enough.

“That was what we prepared, because when Inter are deep in a 3-5-2, their midfielders have to cover the whole width of the pitch and it’s not easy for them. If we had been quicker and more direct in those passes, we’d create an advantage.

“It is also true that we should’ve done it more, but Inter are a team who like to keep possession, slow down the tempo and calm things down. We have to take the opponent into account too.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Milan 1-1 Inter

Milan are yet to lose a Derby della Madonnina so far this season, having won the first two, then drawn the next pair both by 1-1 results in February in Serie A and tonight in the Coppa Italia.

The comeback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and lift the Supercoppa Italiana was only Conceicao’s second game in charge, but after three months, there are still too many ups and downs.

“When I arrived, we had two games against Juventus and Inter for the Supercoppa, then we started a series of matches playing every three days. Over the last two weeks, I’ve had more time to work with the squad in training on situations that are fundamental to bring more balance and reassurance,” explained the coach.

“I know that might seem like an excuse, but it’s the truth to me, because you get intensity and aggression in training too. Now we are working on the pitch and not just in video lectures, which makes a difference.

“In the second half against Napoli and again tonight, I saw a more solid team, the kind that I like to see,” concluded Conceicao.