Milan‘s Defensive Revolution: Allegri‘s “Allegrate” and a Fortress at san Siro
The foundation of AC Milan’s resurgence under Max Allegri is โขundeniably its newfound defensive solidity. Theโฃ message โขis clear, almost visibly posted โat the entrance to their training ground: “You don’t โscoreโ goals here.” And theโ results speak for themselves – in Serie A, a strong defense often represents two-thirds โof theโ battle โfor victory.
Allegri instilled a core principle โคin his players this โsummer: “perceiveโ the danger.” This mantra has demonstrably activated a heightened sense ofโ awareness and anticipation, exceedingโ initial expectations. Milan’s defensive structure is now defined โฃby clear,unwavering rules. They operate with a tight, compact lineโค ofโข five – the central defenders supportedโข by wing-backs Saelemaekers โand Estupinan – shielding a midfield ofโ three closely positioned โplayers. Up front, attackers like Pulisic and gimenez are embracing โa tireless work rate, diligently tracking back and contributing โdefensively, even if it means sacrificing someโฃ attacking flair.
The approach with Rafael Leรฃo is being carefully managed, with a tailoredโฃ strategy being developed. โคHowever, the overarching priority remains โthe same: prevent goals in transition. Milan now primarily attacks during the initial phase of โplay, then strategicallyโ retreats, prioritizing defensive stability over risky forwardโ ventures. Attention is also beingโ meticulously โฃfocused on set-pieces – corners and free kicks – โขareas that โขhistorically presented challenges for previous managers โPioli and Fonseca.
Currently, Allegri’s โMilan ranks second in โขserie A for fewest goals conceded, trailing only Romaโค under Gasperini. More impressively, they lead the league in expected goals โconceded, a statistic indicating that goalkeeper Mike Maignan is enjoying a significantly quieter season comparedโฃ to the previous campaign. Maignan’s performance against Fiorentina was particularly encouraging, and he appears primed to deliver the decisive saves that characterized his form โin 2022.
This defensive change, earning them โtheโฃ nicknameโ “Allegrate” amongst fans, isn’t just about tactics; it’s about a collective mindset. Milan are becoming increasingly challenging to break down, and their renewed defensive strengthโ isโ laying โthe groundwork for a serious title challenge.
Enjoyed this analysis? We’re passionateโ about bringing you the latestโ in-depth footballโข coverage. โคif you found thisโฃ article insightful, please share it with fellow Milan fans! โWe’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below – what do you thinkโ of milan’s defensive improvements? And if โฃyou wantโข to stay up-to-date with all the latest news and analysis from Serie A and beyond, subscribe to our newsletter. Let’s keep the conversation going!
