Alarm Bells and Reasons for Positivity: Tactical Indications from Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan

FolioPitch.com – 10 August 2026 | The recent friendly match between Chelsea and AC Milan at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta resulted in a convincing 3-0 victory for the Blues. While the outcome may have raised some alarm bells for Milan, there are also several tactical indications that suggest the Rossoneri are heading in the right direction under their new coach, Ruben Amorim.

One of the key takeaways from the match was Milan’s ability to bypass Chelsea’s first line of defense through a clever mechanism involving Modrić dropping deeper and creating a gap between Chelsea’s midfield and defensive lines. This allowed Torriani to exploit the space with chipped passes, enabling Milan to progress the ball and create scoring opportunities.

Milan’s build-up structure was also designed to combat Chelsea’s 2+2 pressing structure, with the two outside center backs staying deep and wide while the central center back stepped into midfield to create an extra player in the first phase. This gave Milan an additional passing option and helped them play around Chelsea’s first line of pressure.

However, Milan’s high defensive line left space in behind, which Chelsea quickly exploited with direct passes and runs in behind. The Rossoneri’s hybrid marking system was also found wanting, with Chelsea overload the near post before Caicedo delivered the cross, creating separation between the Milan defender and Torriani.

In the second half, Milan’s press improved significantly, with Nkunku and Ramos intelligently pressing Chelsea’s two central passing options, forcing the ball wide and limiting Chelsea’s options. This is what an effective pressing structure looks like, restricting the options, trapping the opponent, and forcing the mistake.

Despite the defeat, there are reasons for positivity, and Amorim’s team will be looking to build on these positives in their next match. With a few tweaks to their defensive strategy and a more solid understanding of their hybrid marking system, Milan could be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming season.

As the Rossoneri prepare for their final test before the start of their competitive campaign, they will be looking to address these issues and come out stronger. With a few adjustments to their tactics and a more cohesive team effort, Milan could be on the right track to achieving their goals.

In conclusion, while the 3-0 defeat to Chelsea may have raised some alarm bells, there are also several tactical indications that suggest Milan are heading in the right direction. With a few tweaks to their defensive strategy and a more solid understanding of their hybrid marking system, the Rossoneri could be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming season.