Ibrahimovic denies Conceicao-Calabria rift at Milan after on-pitch dispute

Raging Conceicao and Calabria had to be kept apart by coaching staff and teammates while fans celebrated Milan's improbable stoppage-time comeback to beat Parma 3-2 on Sunday. Italy international full-back Calabria, who was replaced as captain by France goalkeeper Mike Maignan earlier this month, brushed off the incident as being a "dressing room matter" while Conceicao cryptically said, "If your kids are behaving badly, you have to act".

And former Milan striker Ibrahimovic, who now works as an advisor for the club's owners, US Investment fund RedBird, said: "It happened to me a thousand times on and off the pitch. There was a lot of adrenaline going around (after the win) and those two are winners," added Ibrahimovic to reporters at Monday's press conference for new signing Kyle Walker.

"The same thing happened to me at Barcelona, Milan, Paris and United... the important thing is that it was sorted out before I got to the dressing room. It's good for the team that things like this happen, otherwise it would be like it (the club) didn't matter. It might look ugly, but it happens."

Conceicao has had a fiery start as Milan's coach since replacing compatriot Paulo Fonseca, already accusing his players of lacking heart and not wanting to win matches. Italian media reported that Sunday's row stemmed from Calabria and other players going to a concert held by Italian pop star Lazza - who is also a Milan fan and friend to several members of Conceicao's squad - on Friday night.

 

January 27, 2025

'Misunderstanding'

Conceicao reportedly considered that unprofessional ahead of the Parma match and Wednesday's trip to Dinamo Zagreb where Milan can secure direct qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League. But Calabria, a key member of the Serie A-winning team of 2022, had fallen down the pecking order at Milan long before last weekend and had started just eight matches in all competitions.

The 28-year-old is behind former Tottenham Hotspur right-back Emerson Royal. The arrival of Walker, who is on loan from Manchester City, further threatens Calabria's position at Milan, where he has played his entire career after coming through the youth ranks. Calabria was livid at being substituted in the 77th minute on Sunday, shortly before Enrico Delprato gave Parma a 2-1 lead, lashing out at an advertising hoarding and pitchside water bottles after being replaced by forward Luka Jovic.

"It was a misunderstanding... we've sorted it out, looking at the footage now makes me laugh," said Calabria to broadcaster 'DAZN'. "I'm not having a good season, which is also due to some personal problems that I'd rather not talk about." Sunday's win, which came thanks to goals in added time from Tijjani Reijnders and Samuel Chukwueze, put seventh-placed Milan five points from Serie A's Champions League positions. But the row came at a bad time for Milan whose fans are in open revolt against RedBird ahead of their local derby against Italian champions Inter Milan this coming weekend.

 

January 26, 2025