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.
