CorSport: ‘Solidity and goals’ – how Conceicao achieved ‘checkmate in one move’ | OneFootball

Sergio Conceicao made the decision to change the structure of his AC Milan side, and so far the rewards have come through the results.

Today’s edition of Corriere dello Sport (via PianetaMilan) recalls how 20 days ago against Udinese the Milan coach decided to abandon the 4-2-3-1. His decision was effectively to remove the attacking midfielder and to add a centre-back, thus morphing into a 3-4-3 formation.

It is a system that Conceição had been working on for over a month, as Geoffrey Moncada confirmed. The answers, it must be said, have arrived: Udinese 0-4 Milan, Inter 0-3 Milan, Venezia 0-2 Milan. The only loss was to Atalanta, 0-1 at San Siro.

Furthermore, Conceição has always fielded the same formation, except for the match on Sunday when lower back pain forced Luka Jović out in the warm-ups and thus Tammy Abraham was the striker from the start. The coach was able and wanted to give continuity to the same men.

Above all, Milan have reinforced the defence. The team are more solid, suffering less from the opponents’ transitions – something that has been a big thorn in their side this season – as a result of being more compact.

The success and the shame

What feels a shame above all is that this solution was only found in April, when the most important objectives of the season were already irremediably compromised. However, the aim now is to show up for the Coppa Italia final against Bologna in the best physical and psychological condition.

With the new tactical set-up, the attack has been revitalised (nine goals in four games), but also many individuals have improved. Theo Hernández is more free to attack with Strahinja Pavlović covering him behind. Fikayo Tomori has also found form.

The qualities of Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders in midfield have also been highlighted in this 3-4-3. However, it is a bit of a shame for Malick Thiaw: with Matteo Gabbia anchoring the three-man defence, the German has lost his starting spot.