GdS: An added resource for Conceicao’s 3-4-3 – why a decisive period awaits Walker

SempreMilan

·5 de mayo de 2025

GdS: An added resource for Conceicao’s 3-4-3 – why a decisive period awaits Walker

Sergio Conceicao has breathed new life into AC Milan with the change in formation, and Kyle Walker’s return is an added resource.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport recall, Conceicao was honest about his feelings towards the 3-4-3 formation after the win over Venezia, something that is consistent with his public nature: “I’m not a fan of the formation, but I have to adapt to Serie A and my players.”

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Conceicao has has the 4-4-2 as his preferred system, which is ‘another world’ compared to the present. But, as he admitted, it was necessary to try to squeeze the best out of the last month of the season. In four games: nine points, nine goals scored, one conceded, three clean sheets.

Despite the small number of matches, the numbers show an average points per game of 2.25, while league-leaders Napoli are on 2.17. Let’s say that the Portuguese coach could have started dedicating himself to it a little earlier.

3-4-3 vs. 4-2-3-1

We analysed the tactical change in a recent feature, while the paper add their own reflections. The differences from the 4-2-3-1 are evident: it is not only the strengthening of the defensive line itself, but the synchrony in the movements. The use of the wing-backs.

Speaking of wingers: it is physiological, in this context, the greater freedom of thrust being able to count on greater coverage behind them. The advantages, for this year’s frayed and pierce-able Milan, is greater balance in all areas of the pitch.

The centre-forward – with the two wingers who have their backs covered – enjoys better assistance (the clearest example comes from Luka Jovic, who despite being a striker more suited to playing in two-striker systems, is having a magnificent period).

Photo by Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images

Walker returns

Conceiçao’s current 3-4-3 has just found a player who could prove particularly valuable towards the end of the season, because of his winning experience and the ability to play in two positions. Against Venezia, somewhat quietly, Kyle Walker returned to the team after a fractured elbow.

The Englishman missed three games in total (Udinese, Atalanta, the second eg against Inter in the cup) and at the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo he took Alex Jimenez’s place, therefore as a wing-back rather than as the right-sided centre-back.

At the end of the month the former Manchester City man will turn 35 and there is no going back to the days of continuous bursts of speed on the wing, but it is still a role that he knows how to do. Just as he is comfortable as an outside central defender, the role his compatriot Tomori holds now.

A season finale as a protagonist could also define his future. Walker arrived on loan with a €5m option to buy. If for a while that buy-out seems obvious, now there is more uncertainty, both on the part of the club and also the player, who has lost a starting spot. For now.