Gullit discusses Milan’s lack of ‘DNA’, Conceicao’s work and Coppa Italia derby

Ruud Gullit has once again laid into the current iteration of AC Milan, claiming that the club are lacking in the DNA which makes it great.

Milan are having a disastrous season on all fronts, having been out of the Scudetto race before the turn of the year and having been knocked out of the Champions League in the play-off round by Feyenoord.

The Supercoppa Italiana was raised to the Saudi Arabian sky back in early January, the 50th major honour in the club’s 125th season, yet it feels like a long time ago as the struggles have merely gotten worse under Sergio Conceicao.

With the team sat ninth in the Serie A standings, all that remains is the Coppa Italia. Winning that would obtain a Europa League spot, but there is the prospect of a very tough second leg against Inter to negotiate first.

La Gazzetta dello Sport spoke to Gullit at the 2025 Laureus Awards in Madrid and there was an acronym that the Dutchman kept repeating with remarkable continuity: DNA.

Let’s start with the Coppa Italia derby between Milan and Inter…

“If Milan wants to save the season, they must win the Coppa Italia. Because it is a trophy and because it opens the doors to the Europa League, which are currently closed.

“I know that speaking of titles, this year the Supercoppa Italiana arrived, but that was a surprise and I’m not saying it has already been forgotten, but it is isolated, it is a memory. The fans are not happy, they are not happy with the team’s play.

“A bit like what is happening at Chelsea, another club I am fond of, also in the hands of American owners and which is currently looking for its DNA. The fans are asking themselves: ‘What is happening?'”