Why AC Milan’s defensive collapse demands a tactical reset

The trajectory of AC Milan’s final month of the season reveals a defensive unit in total disarray, conceding 9 goals across their last five Serie A fixtures. With an average of 1.8 goals allowed per game during this stretch, the structural integrity of the side has evaporated at the most critical juncture of the campaign. As the club looks toward a new managerial appointment, the data suggests that the incoming coach will inherit a squad struggling to maintain intensity for 90 minutes, a trend underscored by their inability to secure a clean sheet in four of their last five outings.

By the numbers

The statistical profile of AC Milan’s final five matches highlights a team caught in a downward spiral of inconsistency. Between April 26 and May 24, the Rossoneri managed only one win, a 2-1 result against Genoa on May 17, while suffering three defeats and one draw. The most damning metric is the goal difference; in this five-game window, Milan scored 5 goals but conceded 9, resulting in a -4 differential.

The defensive fragility is not merely a product of bad luck, but a reflection of a team that has lost its defensive discipline. In the 2-3 loss to Atalanta on May 10, the backline was breached three times, a recurring theme that began with the 0-2 shutout loss to Sassuolo on May 3. Even in the 1-2 defeat to Cagliari on May 24, the defensive lapses were evident, as the team failed to contain an opponent that had little to play for. Across these five games, the team’s inability to keep a clean sheet—save for the 0-0 stalemate against Juventus on April 26—suggests that the current tactical setup is failing to protect the goalkeeper or manage transitions effectively. With only 4 points collected from a possible 15, the statistical trend indicates a team that has essentially stopped functioning as a cohesive unit.

Tactical read

The breakdown of these matches suggests a team that is susceptible to high-intensity pressure and quick transitions. The 2-3 loss to Atalanta on May 10 was a masterclass in defensive disorganization, where the midfield failed to track runners, leaving the center-backs exposed. This vulnerability was further exploited by Sassuolo on May 3, where the 0-2 defeat exposed a lack of vertical compactness. When Milan is forced to chase a game, they lose their shape entirely, leaving gaps that mid-table opponents have exploited with ease.

The 1-2 loss to Cagliari on May 24 served as the final indictment of the season’s tactical approach. Milan struggled to control the tempo, allowing Cagliari to dictate the rhythm of the game in the second half. Even in the victory against Genoa on May 17, the team looked shaky, conceding a goal that nearly derailed their narrow 2-1 win. The 0-0 draw against Juventus on April 26 remains the only outlier, where a more conservative, low-block approach managed to stifle the opposition. However, that performance proved to be an anomaly rather than a blueprint for success. The recurring theme across these five matches is a failure to adapt to the opponent’s tactical shifts, leading to a predictable and easily dismantled defensive structure that has been exploited by both high-pressing teams and those sitting in a deep block.

What it means

For any incoming manager, the primary objective is the restoration of defensive stability. The data from the final five games shows that Milan is currently conceding at a rate that is unsustainable for a club with European ambitions. With 9 goals conceded in just 450 minutes of football, the incoming coach must prioritize a more rigid defensive structure and a more disciplined approach to midfield screening. The squad has demonstrated a clear inability to recover from setbacks, as evidenced by the losses to Atalanta, Sassuolo, and Cagliari. Addressing this psychological and tactical fragility will be the first step in reversing the -4 goal difference that defined the end of the season. The new manager will need to decide quickly whether the current personnel are capable of executing a more robust system or if a significant overhaul of the defensive rotation is required to stop the bleeding.

Can the incoming leadership implement a defensive structure capable of suppressing the high-scoring trends seen in May, or is the current squad’s tactical ceiling already fixed?