CM: Defensive shape, Reijnders’ role and Leao – how Allegri’s Milan might look | OneFootball

Massimiliano Allegri is now the leading candidate to become AC Milan’s next head coach, a report claims, and some predictions can be drawn on how he would line the team up.

According to Calciomercato.com, Allegri is currently the ‘hottest name’ in terms of who will coach Milan from 2025-26, given that Sergio Conceicao is currently expected to leave the club via the break clause in his contract.

The former Juventus coach has clear ideas and well-defined tactical concepts, but for some time he has been studying and confiding in friends and acquaintances that he has ideas on how this team can be put on the field.

It is inevitable that a lot will have to change and that a lot will also be based on the choices that will have to be made on the players whose contracts expire in June 2026 such as Theo Hernandez, and the role of other stars like Rafael Leao.

Regarding Leao, his position could become more central and less spread out on the wing where, instead, Christian Pulisic could be free to roam. The USA international is seen as a real wildcard and he offers sacrifice in the non-possession phase.

The real tactical doubt will be Tijjani Reijnders and whether he keeps his pure playmaker role. For Allegri, he could have a role like Adrien Rabiot did at Juventus, but to allow this it will be necessary to invest in the a defensive midfielder to put next to Youssouf Fofana.

Allegri has then often and willingly alternated between a three and a four-man defence, but assuming the permanent signing  of Kyle Walker and the addition of a left-back other than Theo Hernandez, it seems easier to hypothesise a 4-3-3.

Whatever the tactical development of Milan, however, today Allegri is considered the most ready coach to manage this group, to give the team a defensive organisation that can then enhance the attacking production.