Yahoo Sports Capello criticises Conceicao for ‘lashing out’ at Calabria: “It is not normal”
Fabio Capello has criticised Sergio Conceicao for the way he went after Davide Calabria at full-time after the Parma game, saying it goes against AC Milan’s style.
As a reminder, when the referee blew for full-time and the players and staff were converging on the field, Conceiçao chased Calabria who was about 20 yards away and tried to put his hands on him, clearly enraged by something.
The coaching staff and other players had to intervene to separate the pair. Rather than going to join the team who were jubilant, the coach wanted to settle a score with the right-back and it created quite an ugly scene amid the celebrations.
Various reports have come out regarding why he reacted that way, from possible anger at the full-back having attended a concert on Friday night to it being because of his stroppy response after being substituted.
Capello spoke during his weekly column for La Gazzetta dello Sport and he gave his take on all the drama that unfolded yesterday at San Siro, including after the full-time whistle.
“It was not a pretty show. During and… after the 90′. Milan won after a comeback against Parma at San Siro and ok, they are three important points to purse qualification for the next Champions League, but the bad performance before the two goals in the end and the scene between Conceiçao and Calabria after the final whistle cannot leave fans and simple observers indifferent,” he said.
“It is not normal to see a coach lash out in that way, in front of everyone, against one of his players. Of course, in football arguments – even tough ones – happen, I am the first to be aware of this, but behind closed doors in the dressing room, not in front of the cameras.
More Stories / The Match
Capello criticises Conceicao for ‘lashing out’ at Calabria: “It is not normal”
Centre-back shines, striker anonymous – Player ratings for Milan-Parma from Italian papers
‘I’m not backing down’ – Conceicao hoping for ‘something more’ from the transfer window
“In the post-match interviews, the two protagonists downplayed it. I, however, remain convinced that the episode is the symptom of obvious tension and, above all, excessive nervousness on the part of the coach.
“Why is Conceiçao so fired up? I believe that it all stems from the Portuguese’s difficulty in getting the team to follow him. Milan do not do what their coach asks: they do not press much when they lose the ball, they are not aggressive, they do not have the anger and competitive will to win matches.
“You will say: in seven matches with Conceiçao, however, the Rossoneri have won five. Let’s see how: on four occasions, Milan have gone behind and then turned the result around. What does that mean? That today they are a team of reaction rather than action.
“A style of play is lacking, if they don’t get a slap first, they struggle to wake up. Even yesterday, the comeback came more with impetus than quality, thanks also to the determination of a leader like Pavlovic, the real positive note of the day.
“The most gifted men – Theo and Leao – however, were no longer on the pitch. Substituted at half-time after 45 minutes, unacceptable from every point of view, starting with their attitude. On the double substitution, I’m with Conceiçao, although I know that the left chain, at least on paper, is Milan’s real strong point.
“I still think that the team-mates have well received the message sent by the coach: if you play superficially, I’ll take you off, whoever you are. A courageous, admirable move. But Fonseca had also done something similar and in the end it served little purpose.
“Leao has always been standoffish, I’m definitely more worried about Hernandez, who seems to play with his head elsewhere. I would add that if two coaches have the same problem, the doubt is not only about the seriousness of the issue, but also about the real possibilities of resolving it.
“What can be done? Can the club intervene in some way? It’s hard to say. The coach’s position remains. In my opinion, Conceiçao, with a strong decision like the substitution of the two stars at half-time, has gained points in the locker room.
“If, however, you then look for a fight with one of your players, then you risk ruining all the good you have sown.”
