There is one player who, more than others, is going unnoticed at Milan, perhaps also because of the perception people had of him at the start of the season: we're talking about Strahinja Pavlovic.
After a few good performances, in fact, he seemed to regress, and due to a few mistakes, he was immediately labeled as a defender who is too hasty or, in any case, reckless. In recent times, however, he has experienced growth that deserves to be highlighted. He has never lacked in leadership, and this has been seen more than once when he pushed forward in matches where a comeback was needed. Almost as if he were an additional center-forward, as told via PianetaMilan.it.
Don’t be misled by the goal against Udinese, which simply sealed an important evening, because at the 'Bluenergy Arena', Strahinja Pavlovic delivered one of his best performances of the season. The new role as a wide center-back in the three-man defense, in Sérgio Conceição’s new 3-4-3 system, seems to have brought him new sharpness. Few slip-ups—in fact, almost none—very tactically precise, and with the possibility, as already seen in the past, to overlap. All aspects that must be thrown into the mix and that are part of a player’s development. If the formation is confirmed, there could be great satisfaction ahead for the Serbian.
But a question naturally arises: if the Portuguese coach leaves, where will the team restart next season? Based on what was previously said, Gian Piero Gasperini could be the ideal coach to enhance his qualities. At a team level, we’ve already seen how the 3-4-3 is appreciated by many, but for Strahinja Pavlovic’s leap in quality, the current Atalanta manager would be ideal. Not only for the formation itself—which for the Nerazzurri would then be a 3-4-2-1—but above all for how he interprets the role of the wide center-back. Just look at the progress of Sead Kolasinac to get an idea...
