How Italiano got the better of Conceicao: Tactical analysis of AC Milan 0-1 Bologna

A depressing season for AC Milan had one final bit of heartbreak in store as they lost the Coppa Italia final 1-0 against Bologna.

The magnitude of the game was apparent going into it, not only because a second trophy of the campaign was on the line but also because a Europa League spot goes to the winners. With Milan down in eighth place in the league, it was their last hope in that regard.

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In the end, Dan Ndoye’s goal early in the second half proved to be enough for Bologna to win their first major trophy in over 50 years, getting revenge for the 3-1 defeat at San Siro on Friday night which dented their top four hopes.

So, just how did Vincenzo Italiano flip the script and get the better of Sergio Conceicao just a few days on? Rohit Rajeev has a tactical analysis from the game at the Stadio Olimpico.

Pressing and marking

Throw-ins are a speciality, and if used correctly, they can be made into a weapon. Bologna wanted to reduce Milan’s potential by pressing them from throw-ins. Here, Bologna used a zonal marking system.

Bologna uses a man-to-man marking system while pressing Milan higher up the pitch. By pushing Mike Maignan up as an extra player in the build-up phase, Milan created overloads to counter the Rossoblu’s man-marking scheme.

Below we can see Strahinja Pavlovic sucks the Bologna player to press him which frees Theo Hernandez to receive the ball.

Bologna expose an issue

Milan’s first chance of the night came when Rafael Leao crossed the ball. Christian Pulisic comes inside, creating an unmarked man against Bologna’s press to create an overload. Meanwhile, Leao moves past his defender to act as a vertical passing option.

With a counter-attack down the left wing, Bologna opened up Milan and exposed Milan’s midfield as Youssouf Fofana is not available to create a 4v3 in this situation.

A glaring tactical issue was how Milan seemed to be outnumbered in the central areas of the pitch. Conceicao’s Milan always preferred building through the wings, but the Rossoneri’s central areas suffered.

Bologna’s goal came as a result of them breaking through the press. Milan’s disorganised press meant there was space between the lines, and a Bologna player occupied it.

To correct it, Leao, Jovic, and Fofana pull themselves back while Pulisic is attracted by Ferguson’s inward run. This creates a gap between Pulisic and Fofana, and Fabbian gets into a position to receive the pass.

Changes in vain

Conceicao made a substitution, switching back to a 4-2-3-1, and this creates an extra man in the centre for Milan when they are on the ball.

Milan created a half-chance from a corner when they took the corner short and pulled 2 defenders towards them, creating space for a shot at the near post. However, Joao Felix scuffed his shot.

The last roll of the dice came with Tammy Abraham coming on, so that Bologna were not able to crowd out Santiago Gimenez, but there was not enough service for the players.