Conceicao and Inzaghi's Friendship Endures

The upcoming Italian Super Cup final in Riyadh will see two former teammates, Sergio Conceicao and Simone Inzaghi, facing off as managers of AC Milan and Inter Milan respectively. Despite the fierce rivalry between the two clubs, Conceicao assures that their friendship will remain unaffected.

"We are men of football, we played together and love each other," Conceicao stated. "He will be my friend before and after the match. During the game, though, we will be opponents."

Their bond dates back to their days as teammates at Lazio in the early 2000s. They even faced each other in the Champions League last season, with Inzaghi's Inter narrowly edging out Conceicao's Porto. While there were some heated moments on the pitch during that encounter, Conceicao emphasizes that it was purely in the context of the game and not directed at Inzaghi personally.

Inzaghi echoes this sentiment, confirming that they haven't spoken since their last meeting but assuring that there's no animosity between them. He credits their former Lazio coach, Sven-Goran Eriksson, for inspiring many of them to pursue careers in coaching.

Both teams will be looking to lift the Super Cup trophy, but the personal connection between the two managers adds an intriguing layer to this already highly anticipated match. It's a testament to the enduring power of friendship, even in the face of fierce competition.