From clay giant to steel wall. It took only a few months under the master of defense, Massimiliano Allegri, to transform Strahinja Pavlovic.
Once clumsy, stiff, and out of sync in his first year at Milan, the Serbian defender has now become not only a nightmare for strikers but also a threat in attack, as Roma recently found out. He never rests, always a starter in both Serie A and the Coppa Italia.
Durability
Pavlovic’s growth started with Allegri’s trust. In 2024–25, the former Salzburg player struggled badly to find consistency. He never started more than four straight Serie A games under Fonseca, becoming a regular only late in the season under Conceição, when Milan switched to a back three. In hindsight, it was a rehearsal for this year. Despite summer experiments, Allegri has always used the 3-5-2 in official matches. The system fits Pavlovic perfectly. Working with Gabbia in the center and the left wing-back (Estupiñán or Bartesaghi), he focuses on physical duels with better cover behind him, while still venturing forward, with or without the ball. Milan have found in him a reliable defender and a dangerous outlet. Allegri rarely leaves him out unless forced. In Serie A, he was substituted only twice: once due to injury at halftime against Bologna, and once the following week when Milan were 3-0 up against Udinese. Including the Coppa Italia, Pavlovic has played 1,092 out of 1,170 total minutes. In the squad, only Saelemaekers has been on the pitch longer, 1,095 minutes. In Serie A alone, Pavlovic and the Belgian join Gabbia, Modric, and Fofana as Allegri’s five ever-presents.
Toward the derby della Madonnina:
Of the five matches against Inter last season, Pavlovic started only two: the 1-1 draw in the league and Milan’s 3-0 win in the Coppa Italia semifinal second leg. Apart from that, he played one minute in his first Milan derby (a 2-1 win in the league), and stayed on the bench for the full 90 minutes in both the Supercoppa final in Riyadh and the first leg of the Coppa Italia. His first year in Milan was one of adaptation, full of ups and downs. Now, he looks far more comfortable at San Siro. The stadium appreciates his tackles and recoveries like a gladiator, and has also celebrated his two goals this season. At home in Serie A, only Rafael Leao has scored more than him, with three, as pointed out by those at La Gazzetta dello Sport in this morning's print edition.
His secret? San Siro itself. "With the national team I’ll see Wembley for the first time today, but San Siro remains the most impressive stadium I’ve ever played in," he told the Serbian Football Federation’s official channel recently. The left-footed center-back still hasn’t scored in a derby, but maybe November 23 will be the day. His first thought, shared with his Livornese coach, will be keeping Maignan’s goal safe.
Off the pitch, Pavlovic is also living a great moment.
After the 11-0 win over Roma, he celebrated with the "pregnant belly" gesture, confirming that he will become a father for the first time in April. "A wonderful moment for me and my family, I hope it stays this beautiful forever." His best goal yet.
