An 80-meter run in 13.27 seconds, topped off with the movement of a seasoned striker inside the box. Strahinja Pavlovic keeps shaking things up with his wild, powerful charges. The Serbian defender, who has improved significantly since Milan switched to a three-man defense this season, is among those who have gained the most from the arrival of the ex Juventus head coach.
On the left side of the backline, he is comfortable both with Bartesaghi and Estupiñán. He no longer carries the leadership duties he had in a four-man defense, as Gabbia now leads the line effectively. This allows Pavlovic to make full use of his physical strength. At times he seems raw in his technique and movement, but his unpredictability makes him stand out. Along with his solid defending, he is an extra weapon when attacking, whether against a set defense or in transition, as relayed via those at Milan News today.
Against Napoli, he changed the game with that run down the left flank which led to Pulisic’s goal. In modern football, man-marking systems dominate, so having a center-back with such initiative creates problems for opponents. Yesterday, he made the difference again in open play. He followed Leao on the counterattack, even overtook him, reached the box at the right moment, separated from the defensive line (helped by Nkunku's opposite movement), and calmly finished from close range. It looked "simple," but it wasn't obvious. The move was no accident, as he told DAZN: "I enjoy scoring goals. The coach likes these forward runs and gives me a lot of advice. While I was running, I thought about what he told me: when Rafa (Leao) runs, you must create space and chances. That's what I did."
A year at Milan has matured him quickly. From red cards and reckless errors last season to confidence and composure this year, though there's still room to improve. At 24, Pavlovic is also about to become a father, his celebration with the ball under his shirt confirmed the news.
How much does Allegri trust Strahinja Pavlovic?
So far, he has started every match, in Serie A and the Coppa Italia. He is the only left-footed central defender in the squad, a rare asset today, and he keeps proving the coach's trust is well placed. Last season he was valued for his passion, this year even more so. Pavlovic has become one of the fans' favorites.
