Having arrived intending to play with a 4-3-3 formation, Massimiliano Allegri realized from the very first summer friendlies that the squad’s characteristics were better suited to a three-man defense and a more crowded midfield, with the wide players helping out defensively to shield the back line.
Playing with wing-backs, therefore, on the right with the ever-present Saelemaekers, and on the left first with Estupiñán and now with Bartesaghi, who has earned a starting spot, many of the Rossoneri’s attacks come from the flanks. But let’s take a look at how Milan’s offensive moves are distributed, as Milan News points out.
AC Milan's attacking flanks:
By dividing the pitch into three areas, left, center, and right, we can see where Allegri’s team prefers to attack most. The figures may surprise you: 37% of attacking moves come down the left flank, with the Bartesaghi-Estupiñán duo; 35% come from the right; and 28% through the middle. It’s a very balanced distribution, at least across both wings, highlighting the importance of each side of the pitch, starting with the wide center-backs, moving through the mezzali (central midfielders), and finishing with the wing-backs and the main striker, as relayed via Milan News.
