Yahoo Sports MP: Fonseca searching for balance again as attacking and defensive issues flip
AC Milan’s defensive record has improved in recent weeks, but it seems to have come at the expense of a previously free-scoring attack.
MilanPress point out that in the last seven Serie A games, Milan have recorded five clean sheets. It is statistic that demonstrates a greater defensive resilience compared to the previous period, and an improvement in the solidity of the team.
However, the sacrifice seems to be that Milan are less fluid and creative up front, with difficulty in producing clear chances and in finishing them. The data on clean sheets is undoubtedly positive, but it suggests a possible imbalance in Milan’s game, a flip from the start of the season.
How the defence was ‘fixed’
Milan’s defensive growth is the result of several factors. First of all, more pragmatism from the coach Paulo Fonseca, who will have been aware that his team were getting caught with too many men upfield.
Settling on Matteo Gabbia and Malick Thiaw as a centre-back pairing and the constant contribution of Mike Maignan between the posts have made the defensive department more secure than the first part of 2024-25.
It cannot be ignored, however, that a more cautious attitude has influenced the scoring side of things. The wingers are now asked to track back more and the midfield must more focused on protecting the defence.
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Solutions for the attack
The numbers speak for themselves: Milan are scoring less than expected. Alvaro Morata , although valuable for the work he does, cannot be the only source of goals. Rafael Leao, although capable of individual class, appears to be less dedicated to offensive tasks than in previous years.
Injuries have not helped either with Christian Pulisic and Leao coming off in recent games, but Fonseca faces a significant tactical dilemma. He must decide whether to maintain the solidity he has acquired or risk something more to rediscover a more effective offensive game.
Finding a balance between solidity and creativity will be crucial if Milan are to compete at the highest levels in Serie A and Europe. Clean sheets are an important sign, but games like the one against Genoa show how frustrating it can be for the fans.
As Opta stated, Milan have failed to score in three of their last four Serie A home games, as many times as in their previous 45 games at San Siro in the competition.
