How Amorim engineered a derby masterclass: Tactical analysis of AC Milan 3-1 Inter

AC Milan tasted derby delight for the fourth time in a row as they dismantled Inter in the first half to take the bragging rights.

It did not take long for Milan to go ahead as Christian Pulisic rose highest to nod in a Diego Moreira cross, and just a few minutes later Adrien Rabiot was on hand to finish off a nicely worked set-piece routine to make it 2-0.

Alessandro Bastoni scored from a corner to make it a one-goal game once again, but then Moreira’s free-kick re-established the two-goal lead and that would be enough to see the Rossoneri home after a more controlled secnd half.

It marked a fourth straight win for Milan against the Nerazzurri and it reduces the gap to the city rivals back down to four points. Below is the tactical breakdown from Rohit Rajeev.

Set-ups, shape and build-up

Ruben Amorim chose to make six changes from the team that lost to Bologna on Wednesday night, with Mario Gila, Sankhoun Diawara, Luka Modric, Adrien Rabiot, Diego Moreira and Christian Pulisic all getting the nod.

Milan started with a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Gila, Moreira and Rabiot returning to the starting XI. However, the structure was far from rigid, frequently shifting between a 4-2-3-1 and a 3-4-2-1. Much of this positional fluidity was dictated by the movements of two players in particular: Diawara and Rabiot.

Milan adopted a 3-4-2-1 structure in possession, using a one-up, one-down mechanism to maintain balance in their build-up.

When both Gila and Diawara pushed forward, Modrić dropped into the defensive line to preserve a back three. This ensured Milan always had three players providing rest defence and protection against counter-attacks.

This was one of the key differences between Amorim and Xabi Alonso’s approach at Chelsea. Alonso was more comfortable leaving just two players at the back, allowing Acheampong to advance and accepting the increased risk of counter-attacks.

Chivu was without his captain and leading goalscorer Lautaro Martínez, while also having one eye on Tuesday’s fixture against Feyenoord. He therefore experimented with a 3-4-2-1 formation, a system that had brought him success during his time at Parma.

Sucic and Diouf operated behind Thuram, with Barella and Çalhanoğlu forming the double pivot. However, the experiment backfired. Inter’s usual 3-5-2 offered greater central presence and allowed them to create numerical overloads, particularly when Lautaro dropped deeper to link play.

Without that additional central presence, Inter struggled to establish the same midfield superiority.

Amorim’s subtle shift from a 3-4-2-1 to a 4-4-1-1 was primarily intended to increase Milan’s presence in the wide areas.

With Inter heavily reliant on the flanks to progress their build-up, Milan used this adjustment to create numerical superiority, often establishing 4v3 situations in wide areas.

This allowed them to outnumber Inter around the ball, restrict their passing options and prevent progression. An effective example of horizontal pressing.

Carves open

Much has been said about the build-up to Milan’s first goal, particularly the excellent combination play that allowed them to progress from the back and find Moreira. However, what followed was equally important.

A 2v2 situation developed in the wide areas, with Rabiot occupying Bastoni and Moreira taking on Carlos Augusto. Moreira won his individual duel, creating the opportunity to deliver into the box.

While this was unfolding, Milan committed three players into the penalty area: Ramos, Pulisic and Diawara. Pulisic’s movement was particularly intelligent. He initially checked his run, distracting Bisseck, who was more focused on the ball than tracking his opponent.

As the cross arrived, Pulisic moved into the space created by that moment of hesitation, set himself and finished clinically. A goal built on excellent individual quality and intelligent off-ball movement.

Off the training ground

A rare set-piece goal for Milan, but one that involved the collective effort of several players. Milan used their players effectively as blockers, almost like in volleyball.

Ramos blocked Sucic, while Pavlovic and De Winter occupied Bisseck and Akanji. Diawara also engaged two Inter players, creating a completely free route between Moreira and Rabiot.

With Inter defending zonally, these blocking movements disrupted their defensive structure and left Rabiot unmarked. On cue, Rabiot attacked the space and met Moreira’s delivery to score.

A well-rehearsed set-piece routine built on intelligent movement and effective blocking.

Change in shape

Milan then moved to a 5-2-3 shape to defend the obvious attack from Inter who looked to recover in the game.

With Milan maintaining a high defensive line, Inter looked to exploit Thuram’s pace by playing chipped through balls into the space behind the defence.

After going 2-0 up, Milan took a significant defensive risk with their approach. The front three of Rabiot, Pulisic and Ramos continued to press high, while the back five held their position.

This created a considerable gap between the two units, which Inter were able to exploit during their counter-attacks.

Inter used rotations in the build-up to create numerical advantages in the wide areas. Barella dropped into the back three, allowing Bisseck to push forward and join Diouf and Spence on the right. This created a 3v2 against Diawara and Pavlovic, with Diawara particularly exposed to a 2v1.

The Nerazzurri replicated the same movement on the opposite flank, with Bastoni advancing and allowing Carlos Augusto to push higher up the pitch. This created the space for Augusto to deliver the cross that led to Djed Spence’s chance.

Inter scored their only goal from a corner. Calhanoglu delivered an inswinging cross, with Akanji making a decoy run towards the near post and flicking the ball on with his head. This movement attracted Milan’s defenders towards the front post, leaving Bastoni unmarked at the far post to head home.

Breathing room

Musah did well to position himself between the ball and Barella, winning a free kick in a dangerous area. Maignan also positioned two Milan players between Inter’s wall and Josep Martinez, obstructing the goalkeeper’s line of sight.

Moreira struck underneath the ball with the upper part of his instep, generating enough lift to send it over the wall and make it 3-1.

With Milan comfortably ahead, Amorim’s priority was to manage the game, and he did so effectively. He dropped the defensive line by around four metres and encouraged Milan to circulate possession more in their own half, avoiding unnecessary risks while Inter were forced to chase the game.

Milan also played more long balls in the second half, reflecting their increased willingness to exploit the spaces left behind by Inter through counter-attacks.

Inter were initially outnumbering Milan in central areas, but Amorim addressed the issue with a tactical adjustment. He instructed Pulisic and Rabiot to drop deeper, forming a midfield triangle that provided additional central support and prevented Inter from creating the same numerical overloads.

Amorim also introduced adjustments to neutralise the wide overloads created by Bisseck and Bastoni. He repositioned Pulisic deeper, asking him to track Bisseck’s movements and prioritise defensive duties over attacking influence. Pulisic therefore operated more like a midfielder than a traditional number 10.

Musah was given a floating role in front of the defence, acting as a screen and covering the spaces left behind whenever Milan’s defenders stepped out to engage an opponent or pushed forward to support an attack.

When Chivu made his last throw of the dice bringing on Dimarco, Bony and the 2 midfielders Inter shifted to a 3-4-3 and this was throubling Milan on our right flank with Bony and Dimarco. To counter this Hutchinson came in and Teracciano and therefore the overload was plugged