AC Milan 2023/24: Finding The Faults With A Man Marking Approach – Set Piece Analysis

AC Milan have been one of the most dominant teams in Serie A this season, also averaging the second most average possession in the league.

Yet, they have been vulnerable in the moments without the ball.

This article focuses on the set play aspect of their defensive performance, where the Rossoneri rank amongst the worst three in terms of xG conceded.

Milans red half have conceded the second-fewest corners in the league, facing on average, just over three corners per game.

However, whilst only facing such a small amount of dead balls, they have been extremely vulnerable due to their approach to defending these set plays.

These flaws were apparent during pre-season when both Barcelona and Juventus penetrated Milans system, but they stuck firmly to their system throughout this season and seasons past.

In the three most recent fixtures, each of Milans opponents, PSG, Udinese, and Lecce, have identically taken advantage of the weaknesses of Milans man-marking setup, laying a blueprint for future opponents in how to defeat the Rossoneri from corner kicks.

In this??tactical analysis, we will look into the tactics behind AC Milans defensive corner setup, with an in-depth analysis of why using man-marking can be punished so easily.

This set-piece analysis will examine how Milans setup has in recent weeks been found out, other faults yet to be exploited consistently in their system, and what Milan need to do to stop leaking chances from corner kicks.

AC Milan Man Marking Approach

Pictured below, we can see what AC Milans system looks like for the most part unless players attempt to receive a short corner.

Two zonal defenders (red) can be seen positioned inside the six-yard box, whilst five man-markers (white) attempt to engage in 1v1 duels with each respective attacker.

The remaining three players located around the edge of the box (black) are used to deter opposition teams from short passing combinations and pick up any additional late arrivals into the penalty area.

As you can see, there is lots of space available for opposition sides to attack, although, at first sight, it doesnt seem straightforward, with every attacker marked.

Ways Man-Marking Systems Can Be Broken

In terms of different man-marking structures that we may see inside the box during corner kicks, there are three main groups these can be separated into.

1. Smart movement

The first and most common way we see Milan defend, which gives each defender the best chance of successfully defending, is by marking an attacker tightly before they can make any movement.

For Milans approach to work effectively, th