GdS: ‘Milan with the 3-4-3’ – Conceicao’s tactical plan to beat Inter explained

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·23 avril 2025

GdS: ‘Milan with the 3-4-3’ – Conceicao’s tactical plan to beat Inter explained

AC Milan will take on Inter in the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final clash tonight, and there is a season at stake as Sergio Conceicao knows.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) write, Conceicao has prepared for the derby with the same tactical set-up as seen against Udinese and Atalanta. That is, the three-man defence and the attacking trident that on this occasion will have an alteration: Tammy Abraham in, Luka Jovic out.

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Conceiçao yesterday in the press conference did not give any previews of what he has in mind for the fourth derby of his experience at Milan. In reality, the last two training sessions have made it clear that he thinks he has taken the right path with the 3-4-3 and is not inclined to abandon it.

Granted, this morning when the team meets at Milanello for a session on set pieces he could pull out a surprise that matured during the night, but this derby – with European football for 2025-26 on the line – doesn’t feel like the time to improvise.

Balance

Conceiçao found the right balance for his Milan when, eliminated from the Champions League, he was able to use the entire week to transform what he had in his mind into schemes. There was a need to sweat on the pitch and not sit in a meeting room watching the movements on video.

Only in this way was it possible to memorise the automatic movements to switch from a four-man defence to a three-man defence, to exploit the width that the wing-backs Alex Jimenez and Theo Hernandez guarantee thanks to Christian Pulisic, who drops back to receive the ball, and Rafael Leao, who moves inside to give a hand to the striker.

The match against Atalanta showed that the performance at the Bluenergy Stadium was not a definitive proof but the feeling is that Sergio still put several of the players in the right places. Theo, for example, is more covered with Strahinja Pavlovic behind him and feels a little more relaxed.

When not in possession, the Frenchman still has to drop back to form a five-man line, but when he has space he can free up his run and attack Darmian. Who is not as dangerous as his ‘enemy’ from many derbies, Denzel Dumfries, and who for this reason must be kept deep.

Leao will make room for him, with whom the Frenchman is ready to link up. On the opposite side, Jimenez will challenge Dimarco and will have to exploit the spaces that Pulisic will create for him by dropping back to receive the ball and clear Bastoni from his own area.

Non-possession

The 3-4-3 that Conceiçao launched less than two weeks ago also allows them to cover the back of Leao who in theory should close on the left in the 5-4-1, but who could stay higher to force Darmian and Pavard to not stay calm in the event of a sudden counter-attack.

The Portuguese’s speed is a weapon to be exploited to the fullest even if this characteristic, especially in the derby, cannot allow him to avoid running backwards. Thus, Youssouf Fofana will end up doing a great job, especially in front of the defence.

The same goes for the markers of the three-man line at the back, who will have to try to advance when they have space. Fikayo Tomori of the three is the fastest and is ideal when he can unleash his speed in short spaces; Pavlovic gives his best when he has less space to cover behind him, while Gabbia in the centre is a guarantee in the build-up.

The test against Lautaro will be tough, but Conceiçao believes as he said in his press conference: “I expect the best Milan because we want to give our fans the dream of winning the second trophy of the season.

“A balance? I will speak at the end of the year, not now… For a club like Milan it must be normal to fight for the Scudetto and get to the end of all the competitions. In the derby you need a great performance and confidence.”