Unforced Errors to Blame for Milan’s Draw against Fiorentina

 AC Milan's Luka Jovic, center, reacts after scoring his side's second goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Fiorentina at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP)
AC Milan's Luka Jovic, center, reacts after scoring his side's second goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Fiorentina at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP)
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Unforced Errors to Blame for Milan’s Draw against Fiorentina

 AC Milan's Luka Jovic, center, reacts after scoring his side's second goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Fiorentina at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP)
AC Milan's Luka Jovic, center, reacts after scoring his side's second goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Fiorentina at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP)

AC Milan paid the price for making some unforced errors in their 2-2 home draw against Fiorentina in Serie A on Saturday, coach Sergio Conceicao said as his side continue to lose pace with the top four.

Milan conceded twice in the opening 10 minutes through a Malick Thiaw own goal and a first-time effort from Fiorentina forward Moise Kean but salvaged a point with goals from Tammy Abraham and Luka Jovic.

"There are some individual errors, but not only in defense. I think the team made errors that were not forced by the opponent," Conceicao told Sky Sport.

"There are some behaviors that we are trying to improve... These are behaviors of football and football school that you learn as a kid.

"We also miss a lot of goals. We have to find this balance, because we create a lot. The approach was bad, it was not what we prepared."

Milan, who earned seven points from their last seven games, sit ninth in the table on 48 points. They are four points behind eighth-placed Fiorentina and eight off Bologna in fourth, who have a game in hand.

"We talk to each other, we prepare the games well. The lads have given me some good signs in these three days," Conceicao said.

"In the game against Inter the approach was different and for 90 minutes we were balanced.

"(There's) a set of characteristics that players must have and this mentality, personality to enter the game strong to defend this shirt must always be present."

Conceicao's side held Inter Milan to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final tie on Wednesday.

With the prospects of securing Champions League football fading, they can earn a spot in the Europa League if they succeed in the domestic cup.



Alonso Quiet on Leverkusen Future amid Real Madrid Links

 Leverkusen's head coach Xabier Alonso celebrates at the end of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and FC Augsburg at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP)
Leverkusen's head coach Xabier Alonso celebrates at the end of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and FC Augsburg at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP)
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Alonso Quiet on Leverkusen Future amid Real Madrid Links

 Leverkusen's head coach Xabier Alonso celebrates at the end of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and FC Augsburg at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP)
Leverkusen's head coach Xabier Alonso celebrates at the end of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and FC Augsburg at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP)

Xabi Alonso kept his cards close to his chest when questioned about his future as Bayer Leverkusen boss as the Spaniard on Friday declined to comment on reports linking him to the Real Madrid job.

Spanish media have reported that Alonso is a frontrunner to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real if the Italian leaves the LaLiga club after a poor season despite having one more year on his contract.

Alonso previously played under Ancelotti at Real, where he spent five seasons, helping the Spanish club win the Champions League after a gap of 12 years before moving to Bayern Munich.

"My future? Nothing new to say, the answer remains the same. We have to wait," Alonso told reporters ahead of Sunday's trip to Freiburg.

"Communication with the club is still good. There is clarity between everyone."

Alonso became hot property last season when he guided Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga season as they won their first league title in the club's history while also lifting the German Cup and reaching the Europa League final.

Although Leverkusen have not been able to defend their title in the same dominant fashion, with leaders Bayern Munich one win away from being crowned champions, Alonso still hopes to complete a memorable season.

"It's still the second-best season in the club's history and we want to continue pursuing this goal," he said.

Leverkusen play a Freiburg side who are fourth in the standings and fighting for Champions League spots.

"They have that chance and they will certainly be extra motivated. But that's not a problem for us because it also motivates us a lot when we know that the opposing team is determined to beat us," Alonso said.

"This battle is very exciting to watch at the moment. In the remaining three games, we only have Freiburg, (Borussia) Dortmund and Mainz as opponents who are fighting for European spots. They will be intense games for us again."

But the visitors could be without Nigerian forward Victor Boniface, who has scored 11 times in all competitions this season.

"He felt something in his thigh muscles yesterday and didn't train today," Alonso said. "We'll see if he's available for Sunday."