January 7 – Tammy Abraham’s stoppage-time strike crowned a remarkable comeback as AC Milan edged city rivals Inter 3-2 to claim the Italian Super Cup in Riyadh on Monday.
Milan clawed back a two-goal deficit early in the match to deny Inter what would have been a record-breaking fourth consecutive Super Cup title. Instead, the Rossoneri equalled Inter’s tally of eight wins in the competition.
The victory also marked a dream start for Milan’s new manager, Sérgio Conceição, who lifted a trophy in just his second match in charge.
Speaking at the EA Sports FC Supercup post-final press conference, Conceicao said: “It was not easy, especially the first half but I really believed in the signs the guys gave me during the week. I changed just a few things, and they were good ones; I truly believe in my work and in my staff. We need to have the right mentality to change the rest of the season.”
Conceicao injured his foot during the celebrations and required treatment on the bench before rejoining his team.
“Emerson Royal made a red card tackle on me!” Conceicao joked after the game.
“I’m very happy for the players because it wasn’t easy, we had little time to work on the details that were important to me.
“The credit is all theirs because they absorbed my indications. There is still a lot of work but with humility we can do well in the Champions League and in the league.”
Milan’s victory in Riyadh equalled Inter’s record of eight Super Cup wins and denied their rivals what would have been an unprecedented fourth successive win in the competition.
After Friday’s win over Juventus, 50-year-old Conceicao said he was not a nice person and did not smile much – a quirk that quickly melted away after winning his first trophy with Milan in just his second game in charge, dancing in the dressing room as he celebrated with his players.
“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,” Conceicao said.
“It’s my 13th title as a coach; I’m happy and it has a special flavour for me.”
Now it’s time for Milan to replicate this form in the league, where the club currently sits eighth. City rivals Inter place third in the table, though have two games in hand on leaders Napoli, who sit four points ahead of the holders.
Speaking after the loss, Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi said: “We reopened the game with our mistakes and Milan did a few strategic changes. We had to do something more in the last 20 minutes. We will go back with a defeat, but we will do better. We missed good players, but this is football at the end. Losing a derby is hard, but we will react positively and be ready as soon as possible for our following games.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1736300942labto1736300942ofdlr1736300942owedi1736300942sni@g1736300942niwe.1736300942yrrah1736300942
