An Unconvincing Milan Despite Another Trademark Comeback Win

Written By Onyeka Daniel

It is almost turning into a signature move for AC Milan this season under Sérgio Conceiçao to stage a comeback against opponents as we saw in his first two games in charge where they turned the results around against Juventus and Inter Milan in Saudi Arabia during the Supercoppa Italiana final four.

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After another comeback win, this time against Como, the former Porto manager is insisting that they deserved the win against a Cesc Fabregas coached team, giving updates on Tijjani Reijnders, Youssouf Fofana and Santiago Gimenez, but according to legendary coach, Fabio Capello, this team is still not convincing enough for him.

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The Rossoneri were loudly jeered off the pitch at half-time at San Siro when 1-0 down, having conceded the Lucas Da Cunha goal and seen Milan ultras leave the Curva Sud empty for the opening 15 minutes and once again were forced to complete a comeback from a negative situation in order to keep themselves afloat.

After last week’s return from 2-0 down at Lecce to win 3-2, they overturned a Lucas Da Cunha opener to get the 2-1 victory against Como thanks to Christian Pulisic and Reijnders.Considering his goal-scoring record, is Reijnders better in the supporting trio as a trequartista or in the midfield two?

“It depends on the game, he can play well everywhere and today I used him in more than one position,” Conceicao told DAZN. “He is very intelligent and understands the different roles. Como were pushing and always keeping a high line. ”When Reijnders scored the winner, the coach turned and celebrated pointing to someone behind him in the stands.

“My family comes to the stadium, but the celebration was one of a coach who saw his team miss a couple of sitters in the first 15-20 minutes,” explained Conceiçao. “There were some difficulties defensively, also connected to the attack, because we were too deep, the timing of the pressing was all wrong, so Como were very comfortable.”

“We tried to change things during the break and try to start doing what we had prepared. It was not a great performance, but we deserved the victory.” There was also a bit of luck, because the second Como goal from Da Cunha was disallowed for a few millimetres of his shoulder being offside.

“It was not easy for the players being 1-0 down against a well-trained Como side. We had to be more insistent on what we had prepared, both on and off the ball. We knew that the opponents had weak points we needed to exploit.” Conceicao was pushed on some of his tactical and personnel choices.

Like leaving Yousouf Fofana on the bench to begin with. “When I arrived, I was told Youssouf had played practically every game this season and so inevitably he needs some rest. What makes me happy is that every player who comes on wants to give something extra to the squad with the right attitude.”

If there is one negative from this evening, it is the performance of Santiago Gimenez, who has looked sluggish in recent weeks. “He is working hard during the week, focused on all the things we do with him and the other strikers. It’s not easy for a forward to come to Italy, where the teams are all very well-organised defensively, and it’s natural that he needs time to adapt.”

“He will be very important for the rest of the season, I am sure,” he further added, but for Capello, he is unconvinced even after Milan won their last two matches in Serie A, as he felt the Rossoneri didn’t look like a team against Como. Writing in his Gazzetta dello Sport column, Capello believes Milan can take pride from their last two results, but ‘little else’ about them.

He believed that they didn’t look like a team, particularly in the first half against Como and feels Conceicao’s side were fortunate to be only one goal behind at the interval. He also suggests that Milan were too “passive” in their approach and relied too heavily on counter-attacking opportunities.

Capello also reveales that there were some improvements about the team in the second half, but has also asked questions over Conceicao’s repeated decision to leave Fofana out of the starting line-up, Fikayo Tomori, too, but also accuses Kyle Walker of being “too passive” since his move from Manchester City in January.

Meanwhile, for Reijnders, he begged the fans to give them energy rather than protest, while Tammy Abraham assured that he is a team player. “I always try my best to be important with goals and assists, we have to get better. We did a good job today and can now go again after the break for international duty,” Reijnders told DAZN.

Considering last week they came back from 2-0 down to beat Lecce 3-2, why do Milan always need a wake-up call before kicking into gear? “This is something we are suffering this season. I don’t think it’s sharpness, but we are making personal mistakes and these things can’t happen when you are playing for Milan,” continued Reijnders.

“It is also hard when the fans come in later, but we need their support, you can see when they come on, it brings us a lot of energy in the stadium and that gives us energy too. I said multiple times this season, we have to improve, and right now is the best moment to do it.”Abraham came off the bench for a sluggish Gimenez.

He then went ahead to make a big contribution with his assist for Reijnders, which he celebrated almost as if he had scored it himself. “The important thing is that we are happy, we needed this win going into the break, it can give us some confidence. This is what I do.”

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“Every time I come on the pitch, I want to help the team as much as possible, with goals, assists, defending, I’m a team player. He’s one of my best friends in the team, so I’m happy.” He concluded. For now, the team will look to recharge themselves during the international break while they resume actions after with a trip to Naples to face Napoli.

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