For decades, Milan has prided itself on defensive solidity, boasting legendary names like Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Alessandro Nesta, Jaap Stam and many more. The club’s ability to produce or enhance elite central defenders was a defining trait. However, in recent years, the situation has changed drastically.
While there have been some successful acquisitions, Milan’s backline has largely struggled with inconsistency, injuries, and questionable transfers. Last season, the issues stemmed from a lack of depth, while this season, the concern is a drop in quality.
Reports from Calciomercato suggest that the club’s defensive frailties are a primary reason for what has been labeled a “disastrous season.” With Fikayo Tomori reportedly heading toward an exit due to poor form and Strahinja Pavlovic struggling with consistency, the Rossoneri find themselves in need of defensive restructuring. Malick Thiaw remains the strongest option but has yet to reach the level required to lead the backline. Meanwhile, Matteo Gabbia has emerged as the only safe option, with steady performances earning him the trust of the club.
Amidst these challenges, coach Sergio Conceicao is planning a tactical overhaul—one that could redefine Milan’s playing style.
Conceicao’s tactical overhaul
Milan’s identity in recent years has been rooted in variations of the 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 formations. While minor tweaks have been made to accommodate player strengths, the tactical framework has remained largely unchanged. Now, Conceicao is contemplating a shift to a three-man defense, a structure rarely seen since Stefano Pioli was forced into it due to an injury crisis.
According to Corriere della Sera, the objective of this new system is not just to reinforce the defense but also to unlock Milan’s attacking potential. The Portuguese coach believes that this shape will bring out the best in Santiago Gimenez, the winter signing who has struggled to find consistency since his arrival. The idea is to push Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao into more advanced positions, allowing them to operate with greater freedom.
The role of Pulisic and Felix
While the tactical switch aims to maximize Leao and Gimenez’s impact, it also raises questions about the roles of Christian Pulisic and Joao Felix. Gazzetta dello Sport analyzed the potential consequences of the new system noting that it could be “very limiting” for the attacking trio of Leao, Pulisic, and Felix. He argued that a 3-4-3 setup would be more logical, as it would allow for two wide forwards behind Gimenez.
“With two holding midfielders, the roles of Fofana and Reijnders wouldn’t change much, they would have similar positions and responsibilities,” Bianchin explained.
“However, Christian Pulisic would benefit from this setup. In the current 4-2-3-1, he is expected to provide significant defensive support since Joao Felix, Leao, and Gimenez are not known for their defensive contribution. In a 3-4-3, however, he would have Jimenez [or Musah] covering for him.”
The shift also signals the end of the ‘Fantastic Four’ experiment, as fielding Leao, Pulisic, Felix, and Gimenez together in this system would be nearly impossible. Instead, the attacking trio would rotate, with only two spots available in most matches.
