Milan Football Formation

Starting Lineup

FELIX · R. LEÁO · C. PULISIC · REIJNDERS · LOFTUS-CHEECK · WALKER · THEO H. · PAVLOVIĆ · M. THIAW · TOMORI · MAIGNAN

Milan aim to control games through high pressing and rapid transitions using a 3-4-3 formation. This lineup is built to stretch the opposition and create chaos in the final third by utilizing wide players and aggressive runners. The goal is to win the ball high up the pitch and immediately target the space behind the opponent defensive line.

Mike Maignan acts as the foundation in goal, capable of playing out from the back with his distribution. The back three consists of M. Thiaw, Pavlovic, and Tomori. Tomori and M. Thiaw act as strong central defenders who are dominant in the air, while Pavlovic covers the space to the side. This defensive unit functions by holding a high line to squeeze the space and force the opposition into long balls.

In the middle of the pitch, Milan utilize a four man midfield block to connect the lines. Theo H. operates on the left as an attacking wing back, while Walker provides width on the right. REIJNDERS and LOFTUS-CHEECK form the central pairing. REIJNDERS works to recycle possession and find the feet of the attackers, while LOFTUS-CHEECK uses his physicality to carry the ball forward and drive through the lines.

The attack is built around three potent forwards. R. Leao and C. Pulisic act as inverted wingers who cut inside to cause trouble, using their dribbling style to beat defenders. Felix plays as the lone striker, tasked to find pockets of space between the lines and link up with the wingers. This front line presses from the front to force mistakes and looks to hit in behind on the transition.

This formation offers significant tactical advantages, particularly through the wide overloads created when Theo H. and Walker overlap the wingers. The presence of LOFTUS-CHEECK and REIJNDERS provides the ability to win the second ball and control the tempo. Milan also benefit from the speed of transition when the ball is won high up the pitch, allowing the attackers to isolate defenders in one on one situations.

Milan rely on aggressive pressing and wide attacking threats to dominate matches. This 3-4-3 formation is best suited for games where the team needs to break down a low block or exploit a high defensive line.