Conceição: 'Milan Determined To Adapt, But Leão Ruled Out For Juventus Clash'

Conceição: ‘Milan Determined to Adapt, but Leão Ruled Out for Juventus Clash’

**Hamburg, Germany – September 19, 2023:** FC Porto head coach Sergio Conceição observes from the sidelines before the UEFA Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk at the Volksparkstadion. (Photo by Selim Sudheimer/Getty Images)

New AC Milan coach Sergio Conceição has confirmed that star forward Rafael Leão will miss the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final clash against Juventus. However, the Portuguese manager expressed optimism, highlighting that the squad is “eager to change a few things” under his leadership.

The much-anticipated encounter kicks off in Riyadh on Friday at 19:00 GMT. The winner will advance to face Inter Milan in the final, scheduled for Monday, January 6.

Conceição’s arrival comes in the wake of a turbulent week for the Rossoneri. The club parted ways with Paulo Fonseca after a string of disappointing results, paving the way for Conceição to make his debut on the Milan bench in this crucial showdown.

“The initial impact has been very positive, I saw a group that is eager to change a few things,” he told Milan TV.

“I saw players who want to understand different tactical ideas and this humility is important for me, these are the foundations to build on. We worked very well, obviously I only just arrived and then we had to travel, so there hasn’t been much time to train.

“We’ve got to prepare as best we can to win tomorrow.”

Conceicao choices limited on Milan debut

Rafael Leão in action for AC Milan during the Serie A match against Hellas Verona on December 20, 2024, in Verona, Italy. (Photo: EPA-EFE/Emanuele Pennacchio)

Conceição faces Thiago Motta’s Juventus in the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final. If the match ends in a draw after 90 minutes, it will proceed directly to a penalty shoot-out.

“We must be competitive, organised, understand what we can do to Juve on a strategic level,” continued the coach.

“We’ve got to work hard, be aggressive and I tried to be incisive with the squad on some aspects that are fundamental for me. Even with injuries and not much time to work, we must look Juve in the eyes with no excuses and try to beat them.”

Rafael Leao was the primary injury concern heading into the match, with both Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah also not fully fit.

“It will be honestly difficult to say until the last minute, every hour is important to see how they react,” noted Conceicao.

“Pulisic is back training with the squad, but Leao is not, whereas we’ll see with Musah. It’s impossible for Leao to be available tomorrow, but the others are and the doubt is whether they can handle 90 minutes. These are the choices I have to make.”

Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Samuel Chukwueze, and Alessandro Florenzi have been excluded from the squad for this Supercoppa Italiana clash in Riyadh.

Katarzyna Nowak

Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for 24kbet, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.