CM: ‘The Conceicao method’ – how preparation for games has changed at Milan | OneFootball

With the top four hopes fading fast, Sergio Conceicao knows he and his AC Milan side cannot afford any more slip-ups in the league, starting tonight in Bologna.

Calciomercato.com write that Conceicao arrived at Milan with the clear objective of imposing his leadership upon a group lacking in this aspect. Things couldn’t really have started any better, with a trophy after two games that led to the coach smoking a cigar and dancing.

Immediately after he had to deal with a reality more complex than the one he had been told about. He decided to use a sometimes harsh line of conduct that was not welcomed by everyone in the same way, like Alvaro Morata who decided to move to Galatasaray.

There was press conference on the eve of the match against Bologna. Conceicao is an excellent communicator, he knows how to get to the point and always provides detailed arguments without shortcuts to the most complicated questions from reporters.

However, if there is one thing he does not like to do, it is precisely that of talking both before and after the match. The ex-Porto man has changed the program day after day this week with the clear objective of keeping attention high.

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Sergio has dissected the strengths and weaknesses of Bologna, devouring videos of the team coached by Vincenzo Italiano, and he has had more than one-on-one conversations with the players to encourage them to do their best.

Another difference compared to past coaches? Conceicao tries to mix up the cards until a few hours before the match so as not to give the opponents any advantages, because journalists like to try and leak the predicted teams.

Speaking of which, the current idea is to use a midfield double pivot of Yunus Musah and Youssouf Fofana, with Tijjani Reijnders back in the No.10 role, then Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic supporting Santiago Gimenez. Joao Felix, therefore, would start on the bench.