Paolo Condò has lifted the lid on one of the tactical schemes that Stefano Pioli shed some light on during a lesson that took place at Milanello.
The balance of Milan’s side has been the subject of great debate ever since Pioli took charge. While the Rossoneri have a lightning left flank with Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez, the opposite flank has often been required to do more dirty work to ensure the centre-backs are not left exposed.
The commentator and journalist Paolo Condo spoke during a segment on Sky about Milan and he revealed something that Pioli highlighted at the training ground, with MilanNews relaying his comments.
“When we went to Pioli’s lesson at Milanello, he explained to us how his attempt, when the action restarts from the opposing goalkeeper, is to force the exit towards the right side of the AC Milan line-up (or Pulisic or Chukwueze) in order to be able to keep both Theo and Leao higher up because they are a little more ‘lazy’ to return than the others,” he said.
“Is is clear that if a forward gives little in the containment phase, a lot is expected from him in the attacking phase.”
What Condo is essentially saying is that when Milan have lost the ball and the opposition are attempting to build from the back, the press is oriented in such a way to try and get them to play down their left (Milan’s right) side, to prevent Leao and Theo being caught upfield.
