AC Milan boss Sergio Conceicao embracing pressure ahead Coppa Italia final

AC Milan will take on Bologna in the Coppa Italia final tonight with expectation growing high for the Rossoneri, who aim to add another Coppa Italia trophy to their collection. The last time Milan won the Coppa Italia trophy was in 2003.

Bologna, on the other hand, will be looking to end their drought too, as the last time they also won the Coppa Italia trophy was way back in 1974. AC Milan head Sergio Conceicao, ahead of tonight’s final, expressed his excitement about the opportunity to add another trophy to his team’s collection.

Despite a challenging season, Conceição has called on his players to embrace the pressure of the high-stakes match, emphasising that the final is a chance for the team to end the campaign on a positive note.

This season has been difficult for Milan, who currently sit eighth in Serie A and are four points shy of securing a Champions League spot for the next season, with only two league matches remaining.

However, their recent form has boosted morale, as they defeated Bologna 3-1 at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza last Friday. The final offers a rare opportunity for Milan to secure a second trophy this season, having already won the Supercoppa Italiana against Inter in January.

Today’s final will mark Milan’s 13th appearance in the Coppa Italia final, with their last trip to the final stage occurring in 2018, where they suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Juventus.

Historically, Milan have struggled in recent finals, winning only once in their last six attempts. Their sole triumph in the competition was during the 2002-03 season when they defeated Roma on aggregate, and lifting the trophy again would be a significant achievement for the club.

Conceição views the final as an opportunity for Milan to find some solace in an otherwise underwhelming season as he highlighted the importance of handling the pressure.

“This pressure is part of Milan’s history. It’s normal in these big clubs. We must only focus on tomorrow and be ready”, Sergio Conceição mentioned.

The upcoming match will be the 15th meeting between Milan and Bologna in the Coppa Italia, with Milan leading the head-to-head record with six wins to Bologna’s four, alongside four draws.

If Milan wins, it would be their sixth Coppa Italia trophy, and achieving two trophies in a single season would be a historic feat not accomplished since 2007-08, when they secured both the Super Cup and the Club World Cup.