Tactics, mentality, dressing room – how Conceicao changed Milan in five moves

Sergio Conceicao achieved the rather remarkable feat of winning a trophy two games into his time in charge at AC Milan, but it is because he made an instant impact.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport recall, no matter what happens from here Milan will have a trophy under their belt this season which seemed very difficult to imagine a few weeks ago. Conceicao has been with the team for less than two weeks, but is making his impact felt.

Mentality

Paulo Fonseca said that the team struggled with the mental aspect, and Conceicao inherited a team that doubted themselves, like seen in the first half against Juventus. And during the break he didn’t give tactical orders, but he reset the players’ heads.

He told the squad that they have to be brave and that they are a strong team. If 10 minutes of motivational speech were enough to heal the patient, the coach’s job would be decidedly easy, but he certainly struck a chord with a few players.

Making a pass forward rather than yet another backwards was one of the things he emphasised, as well as having the courage to keep a higher defensive line. Eliminating the fear of trying a dribble, moving into spaces off the ball and other things were focused on.

The result of all this is two comebacks and two victories against a team that had lost only once in the season (Juve, against Stuttgart) and another that had done so on two occasions (the first derby of the year and Bayer Leverkusen). This awareness will generate further endorphins.