Milan Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Santiago Gimenez (Hojlund (Loan)) · Rafa Leao (Riccardo Sottil) · Pulisic (R. Orsolini) · Samuele Ricci (Jorginho) · Youssouf Fofana (W. Bondo) · T. Reijnders (Jacopo Fazzini) · De Cuyper (Guerreiro) · Walker (Jimenez) · Maignan (Sportiello) · C. Mosquera (Pavlovic) · Pietro Comuzzo (Gabbia)

Milan focuses on a high press and quick transitions through a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and strike rapidly before the opposition can settle. By utilizing a wide attacking front, the team aims to stretch the defence and create chaos in the final third.

Santiago Gimenez stays between the posts to provide the first line of defense. The back line operates as a back five where Samuele Ricci and Youssouf Fofana act as the central defenders to hold the line and clear the lines. T. Reijnders sits as a wide centre-back to help play out from the back. On the flanks, Rafa Leao plays as a right wing back to push high and provide width, while Pulisic acts as a left wing back to support the attack. This unit works to squeeze the space and protect the central areas.

The midfield operates with a double pivot consisting of Walker and De Cuyper. Walker works to shield the defence and win the second ball, while De Cuyper looks to carry the ball forward and link the defensive unit to the attackers. This duo must cover vast amounts of ground to maintain compactness when defending and to help progress through the thirds during possession. They act as the engine that allows the team to transition from a mid-block into a direct attack.

Milan utilizes three attackers across the front to pin the last defender. Maignan acts as a lone striker to hold up the ball and find the feet of his teammates. Pietro Comuzzo plays on the left wing as an inverted winger to cut inside and create goal scoring chances, while C. Mosquera operates on the right wing to stretch the pitch. These forwards press from the front to force a long ball and create turnovers in dangerous areas.

One major advantage of this formation is the ability to create wide overloads from the wing backs. When Rafa Leao and Pulisic push up, they create numerical superiority alongside the wingers. The team also finds success through its speed of transition, using the directness of Maignan and the movement of Comuzzo to hit in behind on the transition. This allows Milan to punish opponents who play a high line.

This formation relies on high energy to maintain a constant press and rapid counter attacks. It is best suited for matches against teams that struggle to play out from the back or leave space behind their defensive line.