AC Milan’s Resurgence: Unpacking Stefano Pioli’s Tactical Mastery in 2020-21
For nearly a decade, Juventus had reigned supreme over Serie A, winning nine consecutive league titles. Yet in the 2020-21 season, AC Milan emerged as serious contenders under the stewardship of Stefano Pioli, threatening to disrupt the old order. This surge was far from expected, as Pioli himself arrived at Milan as a supposed stopgap after mixed spells at clubs like Lazio, Inter Milan, and Fiorentina. However, Pioli has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, positioning Milan at the top of the table after 15 unbeaten matches, highlighting a newfound identity and tactical clarity within the squad.
Strategic Foundation: The Consistent 4-2-3-1 Formation
Pioli has relied almost exclusively on a 4-2-3-1 system throughout this resurgence, prioritizing structural consistency amid rotating personnel. Out of 25 players used, 20 have made at least five appearances, underscoring the team’s depth and adaptability. The only ever-presents, Davide Calabria and Hakan Calhanoglu, have provided stability alongside other regulars like Gianluigi Donnarumma, Franck Kessie, and Theo Hernandez. While not an ensemble of typical champions, Milan’s blend of youth and experience has proven effective, with Donnarumma now fulfilling his long-touted potential.
Key Player Roles and Squad Dynamics
Despite numerous changes at center-back, Alessio Romagnoli and Simon Kjaer have forged a reliable partnership, shielding Donnarumma and benefiting from swept-up play by fullbacks Calabria and Hernandez. Together, this defensive line conceded just 16 goals in 15 games—a testament to their coordination and support from midfield.
Franck Kessie anchors the midfield with either Ismael Bennacer or Sandro Tonali, providing defensive cover and distributing possession. Creativity stems from Hakan Calhanoglu, who leads in assists and orchestrates attacks from deep positions. On the flanks, Rafael Leao, a 21-year-old prodigy, combines with Zlatan Ibrahimovic to account for a significant chunk of Milan’s goals, while Alexis Saelemaekers and Ante Rebic alternate on the right wing, with others like Brahim Diaz and Samu Castillejo also contributing minutes.
The forward rotation is mostly dictated by the fitness of Ibrahimovic, with Leao occasionally deputizing as striker and Rebic pushing into the left wing. Castillejo has also seen significant involvement, largely as an impact substitute.
Youthful Energy Coupled With Experience
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Milan’s season has been its reliance on young talent. Except for seasoned veterans Ibrahimovic, Kjaer, and backup keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu, the core squad is under 27, and half of the top twelve appearance-makers are under 23. This combination promises sustainability for the club’s resurgence and signals bright prospects ahead. Despite missing Ibrahimovic for about 60% of their games, Milan remained unbeaten, speaking volumes about the system and squad balance.
Defensive Solidity and Tactical Discipline
A defining feature of Pioli’s approach is Milan’s stifling defense. Out of possession, the side reorganizes into a compact 4-4-1-1, frequently engaging in counter-pressing, especially near their own half. The double-pivot midfield—typically Kessie and either Bennacer or Tonali—provides the first line of security, with one often dropping into defense to cover advanced fullbacks while the other monitors key opposition creators.
This strategy has made Milan the league leaders in tackles per game, a feat exemplified by Calabria, who averages four tackles each match—among the highest in Italy and across the major European leagues.
In aerial duels, Milan’s strengths are equally apparent. With players like Romagnoli, Kjaer, and the ever-present aerial prowess of Ibrahimovic, Milan claims the highest average aerial duels won per match among teams with over 50% ball possession (16.4 per game). While susceptible to the occasional set-piece goal, this dominance neutralizes threats from open play and crossing situations.
Pioli has instilled a pressing mentality, especially evident when Rebic and Saelemaekers play together. Rebic’s high energy—honed at Eintracht Frankfurt—and Saelemaekers’ defensive mindset help Milan maintain a high line, although veteran attackers like Ibrahimovic and Calhanoglu press less aggressively. The squad’s compactness and synchronized pressing lead to interceptions and high recoveries, underpinning their defensive record.
Controlled Build-Up Play From the Back
Milan’s attacking sequences often originate with deep-lying midfielders who act as auxiliary defenders in possession, creating triangles and offering safe outlets to move the ball forward. Kessie and Bennacer frequently drop alongside the center-backs, supporting ball progression. Sometimes, the team bypasses lines altogether by sending direct balls toward Ibrahimovic or seeking Calhanoglu, who typically drops into deeper positions to influence play—his average touch map even sits in his own half, highlighting his dual attacking and playmaking responsibilities.
While the formation during build-up may morph into traditional patterns, the fullbacks play a pivotal role in advancing attacks by making overlapping or underlapping runs. This provides unpredictability and space for the likes of Hernandez (who has already recorded four goals and three assists), particularly when Milan overloads one flank before switching play to exploit gaps.
Calhanoglu’s role is especially creative: dropping deep, he often delivers first-time diagonal passes to change the point of attack, enabling quick switches and overwhelming opposition defenses. The collective effect is a direct, vertical approach that relies on quick ball movement rather than extended spells of lateral possession.
Multi-Faceted Attacking Prowess
AC Milan’s offensive approach is defined by versatility. They can stretch opposition by utilizing swift overlapping fullbacks against narrow defenses or exploit central corridors with fast, intricate passing when facing less compact teams. Ibrahimovic’s return has made the front four especially lethal—his mixture of size, finishing skills, and link-up play sharpens Milan’s edge. Remarkably, he has netted 10 goals in just six appearances, boasting the best goals-per-game ratio in Europe’s elite leagues during the streak.
Importantly, the attacking output has not been a one-man show: 13 different players have contributed to a squad total of 34 goals after 15 games, the mark of a well-drilled, unpredictable offense.
Key contributors include:
– Hakan Calhanoglu leading Serie A in assists, accurate crosses, and corners.
– Ibrahimovic: Most aerial duels and shots per game among regular strikers.
– Leao and other young attackers chipping in vital goals.
Calhanoglu’s ability to create chances and deliver set pieces places him among Europe’s most effective creative midfielders, amplifying Milan’s capacity to break down stubborn defenses both from open play and dead-ball situations.
Conclusion: Title Hopefuls Built for Long-Term Success
AC Milan’s transformation under Stefano Pioli in the 2020-21 campaign has been one of Serie A’s standout stories. The team combined youth, energy, and tactical sophistication to remain unbeaten through fifteen games, setting up a thrilling title challenge. While it remains to be seen if Milan can topple Juventus and end their championship reign, the foundations laid by Pioli—especially the balance of experience, tactical discipline, and emerging stars—suggest a bright future regardless of this season’s outcome.
With a system that harnesses defensive resilience, dynamic build-up play, and creative, varied attacking options, Milan look poised for sustained success at the highest level of Italian football.
