AC Milan Ready To Embrace Coppa Italia Final Pressure – Coach
AC Milan coach Sergio Conceicao has urged his players to embrace the pressure ahead of the Coppa Italia final against Bologna on Wednesday.
The Rossoneri are eyeing their second trophy of a turbulent season, which has seen them slip out of the European places in the league.
AC Milan currently sits in the eighth position, four points adrift of Champions League places, with two matches to go.
They will be playing in their 13th final in the history of the competition after suffering a 4-0 defeat to Juventus in 2018.
Conceição said the team is ready to face the pressure while hoping to reward the fans with a trophy.
He said, “It will surely be a pleasure if we can win this trophy and satisfy the fans in a difficult year. From the outside, we may seem angry, but it’s not the case. We have immense joy in playing this final.
“This pressure is part of Milan’s history. It’s normal in these big clubs. We must only focus on tomorrow and be ready.
“This stadium gave me wonderful memories as a player, but today I am a coach, and all I think about is leading my team to win a new title. We face a strong opponent who fights for every ball, and we must show the same fighting spirit.
“I will not reveal the lineup now. I haven’t told Jimenez or Jovic who will start; even the players don’t know who will be in the starting lineup.
“We have prepared excellently. We played against Bologna a few days ago and won 3-1, but tomorrow’s match is completely different. Finals have a special character and require full concentration from the first minute.”
This will be the 15th meeting between the two teams in the Coppa Italia. Milan leads with six wins to Bologna’s four, while four of those matches have ended in a draw.
AC Milan will be hoping to win their second trophy of the season after winning the Supercoppa Italiana in January; They could also win two trophies in a single season for the first time since 2007-08.
Conceicao said the team needs to be at their best to emerge victorious.
He concluded, “Tomorrow, we’ll need to be at our best against a team that fights every duel like it was the last one. Positive results improve the atmosphere. I’m aware I have a healthy group.
“Winning this title would be a great reward for us in a tough season. We play without fear, just with adrenaline and passion. We know the value of the match and want to make our fans happy with a new title and a chance for European appearance next season.”
Conceição replaced Paulo Fonseca as AC Milan’s coach in January after the Portuguese was sacked for poor performances.
AC Milan Ready To Embrace Coppa Italia Final Pressure – Coach is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
