Having worked on the three-man defence in training for some time, AC Milan’s first three games have yielded some positive results.
As MilanNews recall, technical director Geoffrey Moncada spoke about the 3-4-3 that Sergio Conceicao has used for the last three games, the 4-0 win against Udinese, the 1-0 defeat to Atalanta and most recently the 3-0 victory over Inter.
“I think Milan worked on this system during the March break. Now we can have other options: full-backs higher up, a more compact defence, a system that allows the players a lot of freedom. Stefano Pioli also played with a 3-man two years ago, when we won against Tottenham: it’s to give more balance to the team,” he said.
The result is that in the last 270+ minutes Milan have only conceded one goal, recording two clean sheets, and they have scored seven times. Some have suggested a title challenge would have been possible with this system from game one, and while there’s no counter-proof, there may be regrets.
The perfect fit?
Looking through the players one by one, the three-man back line seems to be best for many. Pavlovic is a perfect outside centre-back (it is no coincidence Atalanta targeted him in January) because he is fast, aggressive and proactive.
He needs coverage, which only a technical and attentive defender like Matteo Gabbia can give him. Fikayo Tomori is the perfect profile to complete the trio because he too has recovery pace and works best on the outside.
Those who benefit from the presence of three figures of this kind are obviously the wing-backs, in this case Theo Hernandez and Alejandro Jimenez. They are free – although not completely – from some coverage tasks so they can get forward.
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.
Everyone seems to have benefited, except one: Christian Pulisic. Since Milan changed their formation, the American has seemed disoriented, almost out of place, and Wednesday’s first half confirmed this. That being said, it could also be fatigue, but it is one cog of the new machine to watch closely.
“Pavlovic is a perfect outside centre-back (it is no coincidence Atalanta targeted him in January) because he is fast, aggressive and proactive.”
There it is. Oliver knows it too. Stop saying he’s “slow”. Check the facts. He’s in TOP5 of the fastest CBs in this season’s UCL. His running may not be elegant but he can outpace 98% of the CBs in any league.
Thats not true. I just checked the official stats of UCL 24/25. Tomori is the 10th fastest defender with a top speed of 35.2 km/h.
Pavlovic rank 21 tied with Hernandez and Gvardiol at 34.8 km/h
Hes faster then many think thou.
https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/statistics/players/?sortBy=top_speed&order=desc
And both Hernandez and Gvardiol are left backs. You said defenders, I said CBs.
Conceicao gave a post-match interview stating that his Pulisic “sacrificed himself for the team” referring to the game plan to balance the central areas. Our defensively weak midfield did not improve drastically overnight with the new formation but rather it requires the wingers, notably Pulisic, to play more central and deeper to cover the midfield. How many games has the opposition ran untouched through our middle to the final third? When Inter had the ball in deep in our territory it’s Pulisic dropping back to the penalty area marking the Inter players. Sacrifice for the team. That should be what every AC Milan player should strive for. We have too many players that shoot way outside the box going for glory rather than making that last pass to a teammate in a better position to score. Conceicao put his trust with Pulisic for a reason.
Some people only look at the stats to decide who played well and who didn’t. When there are players who don’t care about defending the others need to work for them too. Pulisic is one of those who will work overtime for the team.
“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…”
You forgot to say without Leao dropping to the midfield when we don’t have possession, the formation will essentially be a 5-3-2
Another observation:
“Everyone seems to have benefited, except one: Christian Pulisic. Since Milan changed their formation, the American has seemed disoriented, almost out of place, and Wednesday’s first half confirmed this…”
But, the true reason is this, Pulisic is not particularly the fastest on the wings, so he drops slightly and roams around the number 10 position, being the extra midfielder along with Reijnders for creativity.
I reckon his body does not guarantee high level performance always as he can easily get fatigued.
This is why I’m calling for the signing of Jeremie Frimpong who guarantees devastating performances on the RW.
I also know Fofana doesn’t guarantee fitness plus he’s not a proper number 6, that’s I’m calling the signing of two number 6 in Morten Hjulmand & Palhinha.