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It's that time again
@TheCynicWolf @aconnolly91 and myself recorded the Team Talk for the @90MinuteCynic to mirror the opposition analysis Celtic will conduct vs Milan (available on http://thecynic.co ). Additionally, here are some GIFs to support!
Thread.
It's that time again
@TheCynicWolf @aconnolly91 and myself recorded the Team Talk for the @90MinuteCynic to mirror the opposition analysis Celtic will conduct vs Milan (available on http://thecynic.co ). Additionally, here are some GIFs to support!Thread.
Organised Attack
Even though Milan are expected to be dominant, they generally don't hold possession for possession's sake. They're direct to the final third and slick rotations and passing triangles create space to be exploited.
Even though Milan are expected to be dominant, they generally don't hold possession for possession's sake. They're direct to the final third and slick rotations and passing triangles create space to be exploited.
Let's talk about their rotations first. Milan's forwards are very talented in pulling their man in and moving them to create space. They're in tune with each other and notice the cues well that indicate the start of a rotation.
Here is a more direct option of how effective this can be.
As another example of something similar, watch Saelemaekers make a horizontal inverted run here that creates the space for the overlap.
In this one, you can see just how effective their forwards dropping deep is to create the space as well as their support structure which I'll touch on more in the next tweet.
(Not a GIF 
) Milan's support structure is heavily based on maintaining passing triangles and players use the ball as a reference point for their positioning.
) Milan's support structure is heavily based on maintaining passing triangles and players use the ball as a reference point for their positioning.
Transition Attack
Milan are extremely deadly on the counter. The front 4 are very good at anticipating the turnovers and move early. As some of the following GIFs will show, they use few passes to progress through the thirds and waste no time in doing so.
Milan are extremely deadly on the counter. The front 4 are very good at anticipating the turnovers and move early. As some of the following GIFs will show, they use few passes to progress through the thirds and waste no time in doing so.
The front 4's ability to anticipate the turnover is critical here - notice them start moving as a unit as soon as the transition phase begins.
Another critical aspect of their countering prowess is Ibrahimovic who stays forward as a direct option but also drops deep and keeps the defensive line higher; this gives the decision of letting him receive and turn or following and exposing yourself to pacy wingers.
3 at the back is not uncommon in Italy. This GIF shows how adept and intelligent Milan are when attacking an isolated 3. @TheCynicWolf recently pointed out how our 1-2 midfield structure leaves Brown with a lot of horizontal ground to cover which makes us vulnerable to this.
Organised Defence
When the opposition are in their defensive third, Milan press high. Their option-oriented press sets traps in both wide and central areas and closes in quickly. Under pressure and further back, Milan tightly guard the box in a narrow, compact block.
When the opposition are in their defensive third, Milan press high. Their option-oriented press sets traps in both wide and central areas and closes in quickly. Under pressure and further back, Milan tightly guard the box in a narrow, compact block.
Firstly, even in games where Milan are more disciplined and wary of the opposition (this can be seen by their FBs being deeper), they press as high as the opposition box. This image shows their most likely defensive line and line of engagement.
(Also not a GIF ) This shows how multifaceted Milan's press is, showing the ball carrier wide where the touchline can be used to close in but also having a central pressing trap. A key part of pressing is showing opposition into controlled areas and Milan are very good at this.
) This shows how multifaceted Milan's press is, showing the ball carrier wide where the touchline can be used to close in but also having a central pressing trap. A key part of pressing is showing opposition into controlled areas and Milan are very good at this.
This GIF shows how quickly and efficiently Milan close options and move in when their pressing trap is triggered.
Here is a more detailed look at the press in action.
Kris Ajer is our best chance of playing through a press and moving out of our defensive third. He needs to be wary however as Milan are good at drawing a CB out into a pressing trap.
Again, this shows the situations that Ajer is likely to face but also how his ball carrying ability might be able to free up space for teammates if he can bypass the front line of Milan's press.
Here is another example of a ball carrying CB overcoming Milan's press.
Further back, Milan look to restrict space, especially around the centre of the box. This is at the cost of wide areas. This GIF shows how quick switches and a vertical pass can be used to exploit this.
Despite Milan being compact in the centre, there is space to be found. Here, Inter's forwards drop off the CBs who don't follow which allows them to overload Kessie within Milan's tight structure. The critical aspect of this build up is quick one touch passing and a layoff.
Transition Defence
Milan's good positioning supports their brief counterpress. However, when this doesn't succeed, they are particularly vulnerable to quick diagonals given their high FBs.
Milan's good positioning supports their brief counterpress. However, when this doesn't succeed, they are particularly vulnerable to quick diagonals given their high FBs.
This last GIF shows how this can be exploited.
As always, it's a pleasure to be able to develop this pod and talk football with the team at @90MinuteCynic - the podcast is available on http://thecynic.co along with plenty of other comprehensive Celtic coverage 
