Milan vs Udinese: Allegri relaunches the 4-3-3, San Siro welcomes 74,000 fans
Tonight San Siro dresses up for a big occasion: more than 74,000 spectators are expected for Milan vs Udinese, an extraordinary crowd that once again proves how the rossoneri faithful know how to show up when it matters most. Milan need to rediscover three points after the defeat in Naples and they do so in front of a packed Meazza, ready to push the team towards Champions League qualification.
The tactical switch: from the 3-5-2 of Naples to the 4-3-3
Manager Max Allegri has decided to change pace, both in shape and in personnel. Against Napoli, Milan lined up a 3-5-2 with the attacking pair of Niclas Füllkrug and Christopher Nkunku. Against Udinese, however, the Milan head coach makes a clear shift towards the 4-3-3, a system he has been working on and refining with his coaching staff throughout the week in training.
The decision is clear: Füllkrug, Nkunku and Santiago Giménez will all start from the bench. A choice that might seem drastic, but one that carries a precise logic: the three attackers can prove to be decisive weapons during the game, capable of exploiting the spaces that Udinese might leave open in the second half.
The front three: Saelemaekers, Leão and Pulisic
The attacking department will be built around an unconventional but intriguing front three: Alexis Saelemaekers on the right, Christian Pulisic on the left — on the opposite side from his natural position — and Rafael Leão as the central striker.
The choice to use the Portuguese star through the middle is no coincidence. Allegri believes that Leão is not yet 100% fit physically, hampered by a pubic issue that limits his ability to cover the flank continuously, track back and help the midfield in defensive duties. Through the centre, the Lisbon-born forward can express his technical qualities with less physical strain. A conservative physical decision, aimed at protecting Rafa while still exploiting his technical brilliance.
Midfield: Ricci, Modrić and Rabiot start, Fofana out
A significant change in midfield too: Youssouf Fofana will not feature — the French midfielder picked up a slight fever in the past few hours — and Samuele Ricci will take his place, lining up alongside two players of immense international experience: Luka Modrić and Adrien Rabiot. A trio that offers quality in ball management, spatial coverage and vision. Yacine Adli also misses out on a starting berth.
Defence: De Winter and Pavlović as the central pair, Tomori benched
At the back, Fikayo Tomori will start from the bench alongside Matteo Gabbia. The central defensive pairing will be Strahinja Pavlović and Koni De Winter. On the flanks, Allegri will field a right back with a strong attacking profile — as the manager himself explained in the pre-match press conference: this right back allows Milan to push forward with greater intensity compared to Tomori, who has more static, purely defensive characteristics. On the left will be Davide Bartesaghi. In goal, naturally, Mike Maignan.
Full lineup in 4-3-3: Maignan; (right back), De Winter, Pavlović, Bartesaghi; Ricci, Modrić, Rabiot; Saelemaekers, Leão, Pulisic.
Tactical flexibility: from 4-3-3 to 3-5-2 during the match
The beauty of this setup lies in its versatility. Allegri has built a fluid system: all it takes is for Saelemaekers to drop back around twenty metres to transform the 4-3-3 into a 4-4-2, while Bartesaghi can tuck in alongside the midfielders, shifting Milan towards a 3-5-2. The real key is not the formation itself, but the players’ interpretation and their ability to adapt to the different phases of the match.
Udinese, a tough opponent: Milan want the three points
Udinese have historically been a difficult opponent for Milan: a physical, hard-edged side capable of building a wall that is tough to break down, especially at home. But tonight the rossoneri take to the pitch with a different kind of motivation, energised by a packed stadium and the absolute need to return to winning ways. Champions League qualification is the primary objective of the season and every point is worth double at this stage.
