Sergio Conceicao took the blame for AC Milan’s disappointing Champions League exit at the hands of Feyenoord.
Click here for more football updates.
Check out M88 Mansion’s best offers here.
Conceicao said Champions League exit a “failure”
Having lost the first leg 1-0, Milan drew level on aggregate in the opening minute thanks to Santiago Gimenez’s opener.
However, Theo Hernndez was sent off in the 51st minute for simulation (second yellow), and Feyenoord equalized over 20 minutes later to secure a 1-1 draw and advance to the Round of 16 with a 2-1 aggregate victory.
Instead of blaming Hernandez, Conceicao took responsibility for Milan’s Champions League “failure”.
“It’s definitely a failure, we wanted to get to the last 16. This match showed that we are stronger than the opponent and that it was the episodes that decided, like in Zagreb, sending off there, sending off here,” Conceicao told reporters.
“You could say that the referee [Szymon Marciniak] was too harsh, but we had to be stronger mentally. I’m the one responsible, not Theo. Then inside the locker room we’ll see.”
“Theo has given so much to Milan, I have made many mistakes in my career. Until Theo’s red card, Feyenoord didn’t know how to get to the goal. We are disappointed and angry.”
Conceição and Milan must now focus on securing a top-four finish in Serie A.
Failure to do so would mean missing out on the next edition of the Champions League.
Conceição replaced Paulo Fonseca as manager at the end of December and won the Italian Super Cup in his first few games in charge.
However, the Portuguese coach has stated that he does not always feel judged fairly.
“I arrived a month and a half ago, but they make comparisons with coaches who had been here for years,” he said.
“We won the only trophy we could win, we are in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia and in the league, since I arrived, we have earned 14 points and (leaders) Napoli 15.”
“It’s not perfect. The atmosphere here at Milan is not the best and the sending off proves it. We have to work on this. Believe me, it’s not easy, it’s not easy.”
