Sergio Conceicao fielded a three-man backline in AC Milan’s game against Udinese, and given they won 4-0, it was a successful move. After the game, he explained why he didn’t do it earlier.
Many fans have been crying out for a three-man backline for several months now, seeing as almost all centre-backs have performed at a high level. Furthermore, the Rossoneri have consistently been exposed on the flanks, with above all Theo Hernandez struggling defensively.
As such, when Conceicao announced the starting XI for the Udinese game, a lot of fans were very intrigued. After the game, in his post-match interview with Sky Italia, the manager explained why he didn’t make the switch earlier.
“During the international break, we worked on this system. But then I couldn’t change because many had returned two days before the match. The players embraced this idea with and without the ball, with the full-backs more protected,” he stated.
Of course, what Conceicao didn’t say is that prior to the international break, Milan almost always had mid-week games and that made it very difficult for him on the training ground. This forced the manager, at least in his opinion, to stick with four at the back during that period.
