Sergio Conceicao praised his AC Milan players for staying focused in the aftermath of their Coppa Italia victory over Inter, after they beat Venezia 2-0 in Serie A on Sunday.

Milan advanced to the domestic cup final on Wednesday with a 3-0 triumph over their Derby della Madonnina rivals, teeing up a showpiece meeting with Bologna.

And though the Rossoneri have been off the pace in Serie A this term, they kept their slim hopes of European qualification alive on Sunday as Christian Pulisic and Santiago Gimenez struck at at the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo. 

"It wasn't easy after the derby to have the concentration that we have lacked in recent months," Conceicao told DAZN.

"Competitive focus is key. It's not easy to come here, it's a team that presses a lot, that has quality, that plays directly, has fast players up front.

"Then it's special to play here, you arrive by boat, only the palm trees are missing, and you feel like you're on holiday. It was essential to win today to give solidity to the victory in the semi-finals of the cup."

Gimenez, a February signing from Feyenoord who made a blistering start to his Milan career, scoring three times in his first four games but has since struggled, came off the bench to net Milan's second goal.

These three points were brought to you by @Concacaf #VeneziaMilan #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/sExSYv5fZL

— AC Milan (@acmilan) April 27, 2025

Conceicao hopes that strike can spur the Mexican to greater heights, saying: "He's aware that he is not at his best. 

"He told me immediately afterwards that the game had not gone well but the goal was important. He has to look at what he needs to do, how he can work for the team with and without the ball.

"Then the goals will certainly come because he is good and the group knows his qualities."

Milan remain ninth in the standings with Conceicao's future at the club constantly under scrutiny, but the coach has little interest in that topic for now.

"Conceicao is not important right now, Milan is important," the Rossoneri coach said.

"I work many hours a day with my staff. Then, you can lose games as has happened in recent months.

"In a month or so, I too will say what I want. It may be that I too have other thoughts, such as going on holiday in the Algarve in Portugal for 10 years, I don't know."