Sérgio Conceição won the Italian Super Cup on Monday, capping an amazing first week at AC Milan that included two comeback victories, battling a fever, suffering an injury, and smoking a cigar in the locker room.
Conceição took over as manager last Monday after Paulo Fonseca was fired, and despite being sick and having a high temperature, he started on the bench to help Milan defeat Juventus 2-1 in the semifinals on Friday.
Milan came from a goal down to beat Juventus, but things looked decidedly worse in Monday’s final when they found themselves two goals down to their local rivals Inter Milan after conceding a goal either side of half-time.
“The team has character, it managed to win games against two great teams in the end,” Conceição told Mediaset. “At half-time the coach has to change certain things, that’s why they pay me.”
Conceição’s side again showed their fighting spirit, pulling back to 2-2 and, with the game in added time and heading for penalties, Tammy Abraham netted a dramatic winner.
The manager sustained an injury and required treatment on the bench before returning to his team, but the Milan players and staff celebrated with a very emotional Conceição at the final whistle.
When Conceição said, “Emerson Royal made a red card tackle on me,” he laughed. Since it wasn’t easy and we didn’t have much time to concentrate on the nuances that I cared about, I’m really delighted for the players.
“They took my cues to heart, so they deserve all the credit. Although we still have a lot of work to do, we can succeed in the league and the Champions League if we are humble.
Conceição had claimed that he was not a kind guy and rarely smiled after the victory over Juventus, but as the festivities went on in the dressing room following the Super Cup victory, the manager danced and smoked a cigar.
“At the end of the game the players immediately told me that I had to smoke a cigar; they knew that I do this ritual when I lift a title,” Conceição told a press conference. “It’s my 13th title as a coach; I’m happy and it has a special flavour for me.”
Conceição will referee his Serie A debut against Cagliari at home on
