As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) report, the derby has been the great paradox of Milan’s season. Against the team first in the league and a semi-finalist in the Champions League, the Rossoneri have not lost in four occasions.
Paulo Fonseca started the streak in September in the first league game, winning 2-1 and interrupting the series of six consecutive Nerazzurri victories. Then in three matches Conceiçao obtained a win in the Supercoppa Italiana final, and then consecutive 1-1 draws in the league and Coppa Italia.
Next Wednesday is the last derby, which is worth a final. For Conceiçao, it represents the final chance to give his Milan experience at least a semblance of positivity, with the goal of achieving a place in the next Champions League now almost impossible to achieve.
The Portuguese coach reminded us on the eve of the first leg of the derby that Milan have not won two trophies in a single season since 2007-08. Even then, the Rossoneri failed to qualify for the Champions League.
The opportunity is doubled if we narrow the discussion to Conceiçao: the coach would lift two cups in less than six months. Would that be enough to earn him a stay beyond the end of the season?
As mentioned, the feeling is that his adventure in Milan is coming to an end no matter what, but never say never. Beyond everything, there are many ways to say goodbye, and doing it with a trophy would have a completely different flavour.
Before the derby, Milan will host Atalanta in the league at Easter. It is likely that the coach will continue on the path he took versus Udinese: a three-man defence and more freedom for Theo Hernandez on the wing and for Leao in the front three.
An important detail is that Gian Piero Gasperini’s team – like Udinese and Inter too – play with three at the back. In short, Easter will be the second test to try out the new formation also in view of the return leg of the Coppa semi-final.
Although some doubts are legitimate: Milan have played all the seasonal derbies with a four-man defence and tactically withstood the impact of Inter. Will Conceiçao change anyway? First of all, the Portuguese will want more positive responses against Atalanta.
In Udine, his team probably played their best match since his arrival, but the opponent had very different motivations than those of the Bergamo-based club, who still have to secure a place in next year’s Champions League.
In view of Inter, more than Atalanta, Conceiçao hopes to fully recover Mike Maignan between the posts and Kyle Walker in defence.
The Englishman, who underwent surgery on his right elbow last week, has been eyeing the derby for his return to the field for days.
For the rest, the line-up named will only vary based on the choice of system. With a three-man defence, a spot is assured for Strahinja Pavlovic.
