Conceicao says fan protests putting pressure on Milan
AC Milan suffered their third straight Serie A defeat on Sunday, against a backdrop of fan protests against the club's owners.
Sergio Conceicao believes the pressure of fan protests is getting to his AC Milan players, after their poor form continued with Sunday's 2-1 Serie A home defeat to Lazio.
The hosts, who suffered a third consecutive defeat in Serie A, endured a hostile atmosphere from their own fans, who protested against the club's owners with the Curva Sud stand left empty for the first 15 minutes.
"We discussed the atmosphere and this is the first time I've experienced this in my career. Mistakes weigh heavier under such conditions," Conceicao told DAZN.
"I was a player, I know when it's like that, your boots feel like they're burning. When a dribble or a pass doesn't work or you're behind, it burns even more."
Matters worsened when Mattia Zaccagni put Lazio ahead in the first half, and while Samuel Chukwueze struck a late equaliser after a Strahinja Pavlovic red card, Pedro netted a penalty for the visitors in the 98th minute after Mike Maignan's foul on Gustav Isaksen.
"It is not an easy moment. The players feel the tension around the club. The only way forward is to work hard, take pride in our colours, and strive to change the situation," the Rossoneri boss added.
Milan are ninth in the standings on 41 points, having been overtaken by Roma, who beat Como 2-1 earlier on Sunday.
Lazio moved into fourth place on 50 points, one ahead of Juventus, who host Hellas Verona on Monday.