Milan's Tactical Shift Demolishes Udinese as Leao, Gabbia, and Pavlovic Shine
You could just feel something different in the air when AC Milan stepped onto the pitch against Udinese. The final scoreline—4-0 in favor of the Rossoneri—barely scratches the surface of what really went down at the Stadio Friuli on April 11. But what made this win truly stand out was not just the goals or the clean sheet—it was the shift in mentality and structure brought about by head coach Sergio Conceicao’s bold tactical move.
Milan ditched their usual 4-2-3-1 setup and rolled out with a 3-4-3 formation. With key players like Kyle Walker and Emerson Royal unavailable, this change wasn't just tactical—it was necessary. And boy, did it work. Players who had previously seemed restricted were now thriving, especially Rafael Leao. The Portuguese winger looked liberated in his role, finally free to roam, and his early goal set the tone for the night. Speaking after the match, Leao made it clear: “With an extra man at the back, I’m freer up front to go left or right.” He looked sharp, moved with confidence, and linked up beautifully with Pulisic, Jovic, and even Abraham when he came on.
Also Read:- Demons Seek Redemption in Crucial Essendon Clash
- Rainy Bronx Showdown: Giants and Yankees Clash in Weekend Thriller
Matteo Gabbia, part of that newly-formed defensive trio, echoed the praise for Conceicao. According to him, the coach gave them crystal-clear instructions leading into the match, and the team executed it flawlessly. “It gave solidity to the whole team,” Gabbia said, highlighting how quickly the squad adapted to the new system.
Strahinja Pavlovic, another standout performer, gave deeper insight into why the back-three worked so well. “Udinese send in a lot of crosses, and they have Lucca who’s strong in the air. With our formation, they couldn’t cross a lot,” he said. Not only did the Serbian defender score, but he also played a pivotal role in neutralizing Udinese’s aerial threat—something that has haunted Milan in the past.
The cherry on top? Tijjani Reijnders’ goal. Not only did it cap off the 4-0 demolition, but it also etched his name into Milan history books, matching Marco van Basten’s 32-year-old record as the only other Dutch player to hit double digits in goals for the club in a single Serie A season.
So yes, while the scoreline made headlines, what really happened in Udine was the birth of a Milan side that might finally be finding its rhythm under Conceicao. With Atalanta up next, fans will be eager to see if this new formation becomes the foundation of a stronger finish to the season. One thing’s for sure—if Milan keeps playing like this, they’re going to be a problem for anyone standing in their way.
Read More:
0 Comments