Why former friends and teammates Inzaghi and Conceiçao ignore each other

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES – Image numbers 2195346070,2190839174) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Sergio Conceicao, Head Coach of AC Milan (L) and FC Internazionale coach Simone Inzaghi. The Milan derby or Derby della Madonnina, also known as the Derby di Milano takes place on February 2,2025 at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, Italy. ***LEFT IMAGE*** MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 22: Sergio Conceicao, Head Coach of AC Milan, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between AC Milan and Girona FC at Stadio San Siro on January 22, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 19: FC Internazionale coach Simone Inzaghi looks on before the Coppa Italia, Round of 16 match between FC Internazionale and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 19, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Simone Inzaghi and Sergio Conceiçao used to be friends and teammates at Lazio, but now ignore each other and, according to Gazzetta, it all started in a Champions League game between Inter and Porto two years ago.

Inter and Milan meet in the fourth and final derby della Madonnina this evening. It’s the second leg of the Coppa Italia semifinal after a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture earlier this month.

Gazzetta describes Inter and Milan coaches Inzaghi and Conceição as ‘former friends’ who won a Coppa Italia with Lazio in 2000 but have ended up ignoring each other in recent years.

According to the report, their relationship collapsed two years ago, when Inter, led by Inzaghi, eliminated Porto’s Conceiçao from the Champions League Round of 16.

Why former friends and teammates Inzaghi and Conceiçao ignore each other

Ex-Porto striker Mehdi Taremi, now at Inter, missed a massive chance in the final minutes of the second-leg tie, allowing the Nerazzurri to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Conceiçao was so furious that he didn’t even shake hands with Inzaghi on the touchline after the final whistle and that’s where trouble began.

The two coaches even taunted each other after the latest 1-1 draw in Coppa Italia.

Inzaghi had complained about a potential foul on Kristjan Asllani in a previous Supercoppa Final and a possible penalty kick denied for a foul on Marcus Thuram in a Serie A match.

“He speaks about what he has to,” Conceiçao replied.

“Perhaps, he thought he would have found an inferior team in terms of playing style, but on the contrary, he’s found a strong side. It’s his opinion, and I respect it.”

Milan are unbeaten in the last four meetings against their city rivals.