The Sergio Conceição era officially begins. The Portuguese coach has been announced via an official statement and is already at work.
How the formation will look like?
Let’s start with the formation by looking at Porto, the team Conceição managed for the longest time—seven seasons. The Portuguese side typically deployed a base 4-3-3 formation, which shifted to a 4-4-2 during defensive phases. Interestingly, this 4-4-2 was often used as the starting formation as well, depending on the opponent.
For instance, in their most recent encounter with Milan, Porto lined up in a solid 4-4-2. Fast triangulations and fierce pressing resulted in the Rossoneri securing just one point in their two Champions League meetings during the 2021/22 season. That Porto team surprised everyone with its high tempo and ruthless, direct verticality.
Will it be the same with Milan?
This is the question everyone is asking. With the players currently available at Milan, it’s easier to imagine Conceição opting for a 4-3-3. Given the numerous injuries and Ismaël Bennacer’s return, the Portuguese coach might choose a midfield trio of the Algerian, Tijjani Reijnders, and Youssouf Fofana. Of course, things could change once key players like Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic are back.
What is Sergio Conceicao's playing philosophy?
Unlike Paulo Fonseca and Stefano Pioli, Conceição places heavy emphasis on defense as his primary weapon. The key word is balance: a solid defense and a rapid attack. This philosophy seems to align perfectly with the Rossoneri's characteristics. A counter-attacking approach could also help resolve Milan’s evident issues.
We can be certain that Conceição will focus primarily on the defensive department. This season, the Rossoneri have conceded too many goals—17 in Serie A alone—although the Thiaw-Gabbia duo has recently shown some consistency in performances. Moreover, with Conceição in charge, the hierarchy within the squad could shift, potentially giving opportunities to players who have seen little action so far.
In short, the Rossoneri team is ready to start afresh, and it will be fascinating to see how the Portuguese coach stamps his authority on this team.
Source: PianetaMilan.it
