AC Milan's defense leaked 43 goals in Serie A last season, making them one of the weakest among Italy's top teams. The team tried almost 20 different defensive combinations throughout the season. This constant shuffling led to their poor 8th place finish with just 63 points.
A familiar face could fix this defensive crisis. Massimiliano Allegri knows something about building defenses. His teams consistently rank among the stingiest in Italy when it comes to goals conceded, and he's got history at the San Siro that Milan fans remember fondly. Back in 2010/11, Allegri guided the Rossoneri to their 18th Serie A title, the last time they lifted the Scudetto.
Will Allegri's defensive mastery help strengthen this shaky backline? The club's wage-to-turnover ratio stands at just above 45%, one of the lowest among Italy's "big three." These factors combined with Allegri's focus on rebuilding the defense might spark a tactical revival at the San Siro.
Why AC Milan's Defense Collapsed in 2024/25
AC Milan's defense reached crisis levels in the 2024/25 season. The team managed just three clean sheets in 22 matches under Sérgio Conceição. This was a dramatic drop from Paulo Fonseca's earlier record of eight clean sheets in 24 games. The team's poor defensive showing led to a devastating outcome, Milan missed out on European competition for the 2025/26 season.
The team's backline never found stability. Conceição tried six different central defensive combinations during his time. Even the most-used pairs - Thiaw-Tomori and Gabbia-Pavlovic - only played five matches together. The defense faced more disruption when both Tomori and Pavlovic saw red cards in crucial matches against Empoli and Lazio.
Milan's defensive collapse let in 37 goals in 31 Serie A rounds. Their Champions League performance was just as poor with 13 goals conceded at 1.3 per match and only one clean sheet in all European games. The team's discipline in Europe raised serious concerns too. They picked up 31 yellow cards (3.1 per match) and 2 red cards.
New signings didn't solve these problems. Kyle Walker's arrival promised to strengthen the defense but made little difference. The team's expected goals against (xGA) reached 29.70, with 26 goals coming from open play and five more from defensive set pieces.
The season ended with more defensive nightmares. Milan failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four Serie A matches and let in five goals during this stretch. Allegri's main goal for 2025/26 must focus on fixing these systemic defensive problems.
Massimiliano Allegri has built his coaching reputation on tactics that put defensive strength above everything else. His managerial career shows a steadfast dedication to defensive organization. His famous quote sums it up perfectly: "Beautiful football doesn't exist, only winning football exists."
Just as important to find the best soccer betting sites with the highest odds, tactical flexibility sits at the heart of Allegri's philosophy.
Allegri's teams shine in three defensive areas:
- Positional discipline - Players stick to strict positions while defending and create compact blocks that minimize space between defensive lines
- Calculated pressing - Teams press in specific game situations and zones instead of pressing hard throughout matches
- Strategic fouling - Smart fouls break up opponent's momentum, especially during counter-attacks
Pragmatism sets Allegri apart from other coaches today. Results matter more to him than style. His teams often have less than 50% possession but make the most of their defensive strength. This strategy worked wonders during his time at Juventus, where his teams let in just 0.76 goals per match over five seasons.
Allegri makes sure every player helps defend. Even his most creative attackers must track back, an approach that could help Milan's current squad after their defensive struggles. This approach gives Milan a clear way to fix their leaky defense from last season.
How Allegri Plans to Rebuild the Backline
Massimiliano Allegri's return to AC Milan comes with a clear focus on rebuilding the defense. The new manager plans to start work at Milanello earlier than scheduled to get more preparation time. His immediate focus will be intensive defensive training with the current squad, though roster changes will follow.
The defensive rebuild heavily depends on transfer market moves. The club might sell Malick Thiaw for €15-20 million. Theo Hernandez's future remains uncertain after his agent asked for €7 million yearly wages - a request new sporting director Igli Tare quickly turned down. These potential sales would help fund new defensive additions.
Allegri has already identified his targets for central defense. Lazio's Mario Gila could bring experience at around €30 million, while Udinese's Jaka Bijol fits the physical profile Allegri likes in his defenders. The most exciting prospect is Parma's Giovanni Leoni, who has "bewitched" the Livorno-born coach.
Tottenham's Destiny Udogie stands out as the top choice to replace Hernandez at left-back, though his €40 million price tag makes it a big investment.
The tactical setup looks set to keep the 3-4-3 formation that Conceição introduced late last season. This system could benefit Theo Hernandez if he stays, letting him play as a wing-back with fewer defensive duties.
Allegri's defensive strategy will likely include:
- A compact defensive line forcing opponents wide
- Wing-backs dropping back to create a five-man defense without the ball
- Midfielders using zonal marking to create numerical advantages
This mix of fresh talent and tactical changes shows Allegri's plan to turn Milan's defense from one of Serie A's weakest into the foundation of success in 2025/26.
