AC Milan’s switch to a three-man defence seems to have provided the solidity required for a late-season resurgence.
The most recent example of this came during the 2-0 win over Venezia on Sunday. It means that Milan have now played four games with a 3-4-3 formation, winning three of them while keeping clean sheets, scoring nine goals and conceding just once.
If you saw Sunday’s result coming you should check out no deposit bonuses canada, but in the meantime it is important to add some context about the three-man back line.
A pre-prepared move
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia before kick-off in the Inter game in midweek the technical director Geoffrey, Moncada explained why changing to a 3-4-3 is nothing new for the Rossoneri players.
“They’ve worked in a three all week, they’ve been working on this system. We usually leave three at the back when we build up to leave a bit more space for Theo Hernandez, so it’s not totally different,” he said.
Some rather interesting comments came from Conceicao after the most recent victory though, as he suggested it was something done more out of necessity than desire.
“Di Francesco also said that we are very strong on an attacking level, on a defensive level so we had to improve something. I am not a fan of this formation and this system, but I also have to adapt to the Italian league and to the team and the characteristics of the players in front of me.”
Who benefits
Looking at the line-up from back to front, it is easy to see why the new formation has worked well. Starting for the three-centre-backs, Strahinja Pavlovic and Fikayo Tomori are more comfortable on the outsiders and Matteo Gabbia is an ideal anchor man in the middle.
Theo Hernandez and Alex Jimenez have less defensive work to do and can focus on their strongest attributes, which are speed, athleticism and contributing to attacks.
In the midfield, Youssouf Fofana is the one who provides balance, with Tijjani Reijnders free to break away and roam around the pitch, without worrying too much about the defensive phase, also because he is well covered at the back (with Fofana, Pavlovic, Gabbia and Tomori).
In attack, everyone in their place. Milan can afford to absorb the lack of work rate from Rafael Leao, especially in the non-possession phase. By lowering the two wing-backs, and defending with a 5-4-1, it might no longer be necessary to question Rafa when the Rossoneri don’t have the ball.
Not only that, by taking advantage of the extra defender, once they have recovered the ball, Milan can indulge in transitions led by the likes of Pulisic, Theo Hernandez, Reijnders and Leao himself, players who in space hurt anyone. As Inter found out.
