The night in Udine was almost perfect. A 4-0 victory On the road, four different scorers, a First clean sheets in nine gamesand above all a glimpse of something milan fans had not seen in a while: balance. What started as a desperate tactical experiment by Sergio Procepticao may very well have become Rossoneri’s best weapons when the season leads to the defining weeks.
A seismic transition to a 3-4-3 formation Raised eyebrows, not least because of the club’s deeply rooted history with back four, especially during the Berlusconi era. But at Stadio Friuli, the story of pragmatism bended. And during the process, Some of Milan’s biggest names rediscovered their spark.
“It took a while for Conceicao, but in April he finally found something that works for Milan,” wrote La Gazzetta Dello Sport After Rossoneri’s emphatic victory. Milan’s rear three allowed them to press Udinese high while maintaining defensive solvency, which had avoided them during much of the season.
Conceicao’s new form traditionally sacrificed wide play for more inner movement from its wingers, Create space for defenders and wing back to attack. And the left -sided corridor became a playground for two of the team’s most dynamic players.
Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic: Both flanks safe
Rafael Leao had fought for form, Without a target contribution in the last three Series A games. But in Udine he silenced all the doubts with a blowing performance: a goal and an assistantand a man-of-the-match rating from Gazzetta dello sport.
“Very good, I found the movements in front, I created danger, they arrived a lot for me,” Lion told Dazn. “The coach found a good strategy defensively, and even in attack we felt calm.”
With An extra defender behind himThe Portuguese was freer to roam, cut from the wing and attacked with conviction. His goal –An amazing first time strike in the upper corner—V was vintage leao, while his Delicate chip to set up tijjani reijnders covered a complete screen. On the same flank, Theo Hernandez was happy. Finally being able to push forward without worrying as much about defensive cover, the French scored score His first goal in three months.
While Leao and Hernandez dazzled to the left, Christian Pulisic silently pulled the strings to the right. The American wing helped Pavlovic’s goal from a well -delivered corner and was a constant presence with its intelligent movement.
“Is this the right formation? It worked today. So yes, I like it,” The American told reporters after the match. The system allowed him to operate inside and join the front three, rather than hugging the touch line –a shift that suited his forces.
Not all sunshine: Who can fight to adapt?
While some players found a new lease agreement, others are likely to find themselves drives on to ambiguity. Santiago GimenezMilan’s signing of winter markings, has now gone over two months without goals. Once he is expected to lead the accusation against the Champions League qualification, he has dropped the ground in hacking order to Tammy Abraham and Jovic’s woundAs both now seem more physically and tactically synchronized with Conceicao’s new plan.
The Mexican apparently still needs some time to find out his injuries. But maybe the wing backs can help him Restore their shape with some exact crosses When he comes back from injury.
In the meantime, Joao Felix Situation becomes more complicated. 3-4-3 does not hold a traditional No.10 role, and with Leao and Pulisic that occupies the wide channels, Felix risks being left out again. A bright spark in Milan’s attack on his debut in Coppa Italia, he is now expected Return to Chelsea at the end of the seasonAfter losing confidence in both boss and fans.
