Conceição Owns Up to Milan’s UCL Exit: “I Made So Many Mistakes”
AC Milan’s Champions League journey has come to an end, and the man at the center of it all—Sergio Conceição—did not shy away from taking responsibility. After their elimination at the hands of Feyenoord, the Milan coach faced the media, openly admitting his mistakes and expressing the deep disappointment felt by the club and its supporters.
Milan started strong, taking the lead in under a minute through Santiago Giménez, who has been in fantastic form with three goals in his last four matches. They continued to press, creating several chances to extend their lead. However, everything changed when Theo Hernández received a second yellow card for simulation, leaving Milan with ten men. That moment shifted the momentum, and Feyenoord capitalized, finding the equalizer that sealed their progression.
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Speaking to Sky Italia , Conceição made it clear—this elimination was on him. While he acknowledged the impact of Theo’s red card, he refused to blame his players outright. Instead, he pointed fingers at himself, stating, “The disappointment is huge. We are all angry because we knew we were stronger. We made mistakes in Rotterdam, and this time we prepared to win. But we missed chances, and Theo’s red card changed everything.”
Conceição has an impressive track record, having led Porto to the Champions League Round of 16 five times in six years. Yet, he admitted that this time, things didn’t go as planned. “I made so many mistakes you can’t imagine,” he confessed, making it clear that the weight of this defeat rests on his shoulders.
One of the key talking points was his decision to substitute Santiago Giménez. When asked why he took off the striker, he explained that it was a tactical move, considering Giménez’s recent fitness concerns. With Milan down to ten men, he prioritized stability over attacking options. However, that decision left many fans questioning whether Milan could have pushed harder for a winning goal.
As for Theo Hernández, his inconsistency remains a concern. Conceição defended the left-back, saying, “I’ve known him for a long time, and I know he can do much more. His coach can do more too.” It’s clear that the manager still believes in Theo’s potential, but moments like this raise serious doubts about his maturity in big matches.
Milan’s exit from the Champions League is a massive blow, but there’s no time for regrets. The team must now turn its attention to Serie A, where finishing in the top four is crucial to securing Champions League qualification for next season. Missing out on that would be a disaster for a club of Milan’s stature.
With crucial fixtures ahead, Milan must regroup quickly. The disappointment is real, but Conceição’s willingness to take accountability could be the first step in rebuilding confidence. Now, the focus shifts to the league—because failure is not an option.
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