"Milan went on quite a rollercoaster journey under Stefano Pioli, one which began with protests and fan outrage, to enjoying the highs of the Scudetto and getting back into the final four of the Champions League, but ultimately ended after a final dramatic dip in 2023-24. During his time in charge, Pioli - particularly in that European run in 2022-23 - occasionally flirted with a three-man defence."
"However, in virtually every derby, firstly against Antonio Conte and then against Simone Inzaghi, he believed that the 4-2-3-1 was the key to victory. The line-up below from the final season was a good indicator of the way that Pioli tried to set up. He was in love with the use of a centre-back pairing, a double pivot and an attacking midfielder, with one striker and two wingers to lead the attack."
"Having had mixed success against Inter in the games prior, it became almost elementary for Milan to not just lose against them, but to lose without laying a glove. Five defeats in a row were bad enough, but then the sixth, which handed the Nerazzurri their second star in the Rossoneri's 'home' game, spelt the end in the eyes of many."
Inter will host AC Milan in the first Derby della Madonnina of 2025-26 and both teams should line up in a 3-5-2. The system of three central defenders, three central midfielders, two wing-backs and two forwards is common among Italian clubs. Milan experienced a rollercoaster under Stefano Pioli, from protests to a Scudetto and a Champions League semi-final run, before a dramatic 2023-24 dip. Pioli sometimes used a three-man defence but typically set up as a 4-2-3-1 in derbies, favouring a centre-back pairing, a double pivot and an attacking midfielder. Five consecutive derby defeats culminated in a decisive loss and managerial change; Paulo Fonseca's arrival triggered a sudden derby turnaround in 2024-25.
Read at SempreMilan
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