{"id":6360,"date":"2025-01-07T06:47:59","date_gmt":"2025-01-07T06:47:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betwealthsuretips.com\/blog\/rafael-leao-conceicao-brings-energy-i-and-milan-need-after-thrilling-2025-start\/"},"modified":"2025-01-07T06:47:59","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T06:47:59","slug":"rafael-leao-conceicao-brings-energy-i-and-milan-need-after-thrilling-2025-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betwealthsuretips.com\/blog\/rafael-leao-conceicao-brings-energy-i-and-milan-need-after-thrilling-2025-start\/","title":{"rendered":"Rafael Leao: ‘Conceicao brings energy I and Milan need’ after thrilling 2025 start"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"RIYADH,<\/picture><\/div>\n

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – JANUARY 06: Rafael Leao of AC Milan celebrates victory while wearing his winners medal following the Italian Super Cup Final between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Kingdom Arena on January 06, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Rafael Leao said Sergio Conceicao brought \u2018the energy everyone needed\u2019 after a transformed Milan won the Supercoppa Italiana. \u2018I know he will push me on to be my best.\u2019<\/p>\n

The Portugal international was not fully fit after a muscular problem that ruled him out of the 2-1 semi-final victory over Juventus, but came off the bench with his men 2-0 down against Inter in the Final.<\/p>\n

He had a hand in all three goals, winning the free kick scored by Theo Hernandez, sparking the attack for the Christian Pulisic equaliser and providing the assist for the stoppage-time Tammy Abraham winner.<\/p>\n

It is a world away from the sluggish performances seen under Paulo Fonseca, who was fired on December 30.<\/p>\n

Sergio Conceicao told Sport Mediaset that Leao can \u201cbecome the best player in the world\u201d and the player was listening in, giving his response live on television.<\/p>\n

Rafael Leao believes Conceicao right for Milan<\/h2>\n
\"RIYADH,
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA \u2013 JANUARY 06: Sergio Conceicao, Head Coach of AC Milan, celebrates after Christian Pulisic of AC Milan (not pictured) scores his team\u2019s second goal during the Italian Super Cup Final between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Kingdom Arena on January 06, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI did not know Conceicao personally, I had heard from friends at Porto who worked with him that he had a strong character. What he has done in only a few days is incredible,\u201d said Leao.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat he\u2019s saying, I need that, and I felt that energy everyone needed. I feel like the change is visible on and off the field, this mentality helps us to win and do what we managed today.<\/p>\n

\u201cAgainst Juventus and Inter, we never gave up. You can\u2019t always have your best match, but you can still win games with character.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fonseca had been particularly frustrated with Leao and Theo Hernandez for their tendency to disappear from matches or not help out defensively, but both were decisive this evening to win the Supercoppa Italiana.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is hunger and energy. At times you make mistakes, you can place the wrong pass or a dribbling, but the desire is what makes the difference. We had that desire against Juventus and today too, it is fundamental.<\/p>\n

\u201cNobody can be comfortable in their place just because they are at Milan. Everyone must be ready to help the team, give their best. I know the coach will push me on to be my best and I in turn will help the coach because I know he\u2019ll push me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leao only had one training session yesterday with the squad after picking up a muscular problem, so was nowhere near fully fit.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere wasn\u2019t a great chance of me playing, but I really wanted to be here. The medical staff and coach believed I could play in the Final, I worked every day to get back in shape and help my team. I thank everyone for helping me get this opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n