Boban advises Conceicao after Feyenoord defeat: ‘Needs a settled team’ | OneFootball

Former Milan midfielder and director Zvonimir Bobam has lent a word of advice to Milan coach Sergio Conceicao following Wednesday evening’s disappointing 1-0 defeat away against Feyenoord, as he feels that the Rossoneri could do with having a more settled and recognisable first-choice line-up.

The Rossoneri were beaten 1-0 in the Netherlands on Wednesday night after a third-minute strike from Igor Paixao, which many felt Mike Maignan ought to have kept out.

There had been excitement to see Milan’s ‘fab four’ of Rafael Leao, Joao Felix, Christian Pulisic and Santiago Gimenez starting together in the same team for the first time, but the new-look attacking unit struggled to get going either.

Antoni Milambo of Feyenoord (L) guards Santiago Gimenez  (C-R) during the UEFA Champions League playoff first leg soccer match, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 12 February 2025. EPA-EFE/OLAF KRAAK

Boban advises Conceicao after Feyenoord 1-0 Milan

On punditry duty with Sky Sport Italia last night was Boban, who feels that Conceicao could do with having more consistency about his starting line-ups.

He pointed out that the Rossoneri have struggled for consistency in terms of personnel since the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign.

Boban also added that he thought the team were fortunate to only head in for the half-time break with the scores ‘only’ at 1-0.

“We’ve not really understood Milan since the start of the season. They’re still a team without identity, ideas or the knowledge of how to handle a tough game against a well-organised opponent,” Boban said, reported via Milannews.it.

Rafael Leao in action against Anis Hadj Moussa of Feyenoord (on the ground) during the UEFA Champions League playoff first leg soccer match against Feyenoord, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 12 February 2025. EPA-EFE/OLAF KRAAK

“Milan need to control the game, especially if they play so offensively. But, without the ball, waiting to regain possession, Milan put (Feyenoord) at ease. It was fortunate that it only ended at 1-0 in the first half.”

He later continued: “From the beginning of the season, I don’t think that Milan have played with the same team more than twice in a row. He (Conceicao) needs to choose a settled team with slight changes every now and then depending on the opponent.”