Milan Football Formation

Starting Lineup

S. GIMENEZ (J. David) · RAFAEL LEÁO (F. Chiesa) · C. PULISIC (Chukwueze) · REIJNDERS (Loftus-Cheek) · S. RICCI (Y. Fofana) · HERNANDEZ (Udogie) · SAELEMAEKERS (Jimenez) · TOMORI (Walker) · M. THIAW (M. Gabbia) · PAVLOVIC (Theate) · MAIGNAN (Spotriello)

Milan aims to play a direct and vertical style of football using a 3-4-3 formation. This lineup is built to exploit transitions and use wide areas to stretch the opposition. The team looks to win the ball in central zones and immediately look for the forwards to break the lines.

Mike Maignan operates in goal to command the area and start attacks. The back three consists of M. Thiaw, Tomori, and Pavlovic. Tomori and M. Thiaw act as the central pillars, with Tomori providing recovery speed and Pavlovic acting as the left centre-back. This trio allows the team to defend zonally while maintaining enough pace to cover space if the team plays a high line. The defenders work to stay compact and prevent runners from finding gaps between the lines.

The midfield works as a flat four to control the center and the flanks. S. Ricci and Reijnders form a central pairing where Reijnders looks to connect the defence to the attack and Ricci works to win the second ball. Hernandez operates as the left midfielder, frequently pushing up to provide width and overlap the left side. Saelemaekers plays on the right to balance the midfield and track back when the team loses possession. This midfield group must squeeze the space to deny the opposition time on the ball.

In the attacking third, Milan uses three forwards to pin the opposition back line. S. Gimenez acts as the central striker, looking to hold up the ball and link play with the runners. Rafael Leão operates on the left as an inverted winger, using his dribbling to cut inside and create chaos. C. Pulisic plays on the right, also looking to cut inside and arrive late into the box. These three create constant movement, with Leão and Pulisic looking to isolate defenders in one on one situations.

One tactical strength of this Milan lineup is the ability to create wide overloads when Hernandez pushes forward. The formation also offers great speed of transition, as the front three can immediately attack the space behind the opponent's defenders. The central trio of Tomori, M. Thiaw, and Pavlovic provides a strong presence to win the header and clear the lines during defensive periods.

This 3-4-3 formation relies on aggressive wing play and quick transitions to punish opponents. It is best suited for games where the opposition leaves space behind their defensive line.