Marco Landucci, assistant to Max Allegri, praised AC Milan`s “extraordinary” 3-0 victory over Udinese, highlighting their dedicated work on defense, both collectively and individually.
Following a surprising 2-1 home loss to Cremonese at the season`s start, the Rossoneri are gaining momentum, securing their third successive Serie A win. After defeating Lecce 2-0 and Bologna 1-0, Milan achieved an emphatic 3-0 win at Udine`s Bluenergy Stadium, breaking Udinese`s unbeaten streak.
Christian Pulisic, returning from an ankle injury, was the standout player, netting two goals and setting up Youssouf Fofana`s third goal with an aggressive press in the box.
AC Milan`s Defensive Transformation Under Allegri`s Influence
With their third consecutive Serie A clean sheet, questions arise if this AC Milan squad is finally embodying Allegri`s tactical vision.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Landucci remarked, “I`m unsure if the team is fully adopting the coach`s style, but the players delivered an extraordinary performance tonight. They supported each other, contested every ball, and showcased excellent technical skill. We had some initial concerns about their approach, but they were fantastic from kick-off.”
Post-match, the players acknowledged the away fans, who had resumed their vocal support after an earlier protest this season.
“This is a cohesive squad, and we`re approaching each game individually,” Landucci stated. “We`ll arrive home late, then immediately focus on preparing for the Coppa Italia, another crucial fixture.”
Allegri will remain absent from the dugout for Tuesday`s Coppa Italia match against Lecce, serving the remainder of a two-game ban from his 2024 participation in the tournament with Juventus.
Allegri had previously noted the team`s lack of danger awareness and reactive play. What factors have led to this transformation?
Landucci elaborated, “Upon our arrival, the team demonstrated a strong willingness to learn, and these results reflect their efforts. They are dedicated, hard-working, and we`ve forged a strong unit. The addition of experienced players like Rabiot has also been beneficial.”
“They understood the errors from the Cremonese game, realizing that small details are crucial and that challenging for every ball is vital,” he explained. “When possession is ours, we aim to score; when it`s not, we focus on defending. Football is fundamentally simple in that regard.”
“Our analysis showed Milan conceded 49 and 43 goals in the past two years, which is excessive for a team aspiring to a high league finish,” Landucci stated. “We prioritized improving this, working on defense collectively and individually. The players were keen to adapt, and as my coach emphasizes, our goal is to minimize defensive vulnerabilities.”
Notably, Landucci proactively mentioned Rafael Leao, acknowledging the current uncertainty regarding his role within the team`s new 3-5-2 formation. “I also want to stress that despite his current injury, Rafael Leao has been a model professional, and we eagerly await his return to the squad.”
