Ibrahimovic takes place of ’emotional’ Conceicao to discuss Verona win and Gimenez’s impact | OneFootball

Zlatan Ibrahimovic faced the cameras after AC Milan’s win over Hellas Verona, due to Sergio Conceicao receiving some sad news.

Milan were able to celebrate three important points against Verona tonight with Santiago Gimenez getting his second goal for the club in his second league game, finishing a nice assist from Rafael Leao inside the final 20 minutes.

However, during the game some sad news broke. Multiple sources have confirmed that Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa – the legendary president of FC Porto and someone Conceicao knew incredibly closely – passed away on Saturday at the age of 87 after a battle with cancer.

After the victory against Hellas Verona, Ibrahimovic spoke to Sky to give his thoughts on the performance and on the win, also confirming the reason for Conceicao’s absence. MilanNews transcribed the interview.

“Conceiçao is very emotional about the death of the former president of Porto. He was like a father to him, so I came here to speak.”

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It has been a great start for Gimenez…

“I expected this impact. The balls arrive in the area with this team, you have to be ready to score. It’s not easy for a foreigner to arrive and play in Italy, we also have to be good at helping him.”

How important a win was it?

“Tonight’s victory is important. We dominated, they came here to defend. If you score at the beginning, the game opens up and changes everything.”

Are you happy with Joao Felix’s impact?

“We try to exploit all the players we have. Then the coach makes the choices. Conceiçao is making him play a lot. He always wants the ball, he creates chances, he could have scored today too. If he’s well he has to play. Then the coach decides.”

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Leao came on and set up the goal…

“He will always be the reference for this team. He came in and made an assist. Today he came in and made the difference. That’s what we ask of him, to come on the pitch and resolve the games. We are Milan, there can’t be just one player who makes the difference.”

He and Pulisic started on the bench though…

“The more players you have, the more alternatives you have. The manager rotates. We are one of the teams that are playing the most, he has to rotate the players.”

You have gone for a new look with your hair untied…

“It’s more relaxing… (smiles).”