Why Another Centre-Back Could Be Crucial for Amorim’s Milan: Addressing Build-Up Teething Issues

FolioPitch.com – 27 July 2026 | AC Milan‘s preseason has already provided a glimpse into the challenges awaiting new head coach Ruben Amorim. The Rossoneri’s first friendly of the summer against Celtic ended in a 2-2 draw, but the performance highlighted significant build-up teething issues that could define their season. As the team transitions to Amorim’s tactical philosophy, the need for a centre-back comfortable on the ball has never been more apparent. This article delves into the ‘Build-up teething issues Why another centre-back could be crucial for Amorim s Milan’ and explores the potential solutions.

The match against Celtic, played under less-than-ideal conditions with over a dozen first-team regulars absent, nonetheless exposed some worrying patterns. In the first half, Milan’s back three of Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia, and Strahinja Pavlovic struggled to execute Amorim’s build-up principles. A poor square pass from Pavlovic led to Celtic’s opener, and a wayward pass from young goalkeeper Samuele Ricci compounded the issues. These errors, often dismissed as preseason rust, actually point to a deeper problem: the current personnel may not be ideally suited for Amorim’s system.

Amorim’s tactical setup, as outlined in our previous breakdown, demands that all three centre-backs are adept at passing under pressure. They must be comfortable receiving the ball in tight spaces and capable of breaking lines with precise distribution. Against Celtic, Milan often lacked coherent positional structure, making it easy for the home side to press and force errors. A sequence highlighted by tactical analyst Rohit Rajeev showed Gabbia having no forward passing options, leading to a risky pass that conceded possession. This illustrates the ‘Build-up teething issues Why another centre-back could be crucial for Amorim s Milan’—the team’s inability to create separation and passing angles.

To fully implement Amorim’s 3-2-5 formation, which relies on fluid movement and constant passing options, Milan may need to reinforce their defensive ranks. While Mario Gila has been signed from Lazio and is expected to start, the other two spots remain uncertain. Pavlovic, despite his athleticism, is prone to erratic passing, and Gabbia, while solid, lacks the progressive qualities required. This has sparked speculation about further centre-back additions. Reports link the club to Goncalo Inacio, a former Amorim pupil at Sporting, and other names like Tiago Gabriel and Jhon Lucumi. Each of these players embodies the ball-playing profile the system demands.

The market activity underscores a key point: ‘Build-up teething issues Why another centre-back could be crucial for Amorim s Milan’ is not just a temporary concern—it’s a fundamental requirement. The central defender in Amorim’s system acts as the pivot, initiating attacks and ensuring quick transitions. Without a reliable ball-handler in that role, the entire build-up phase suffers. Given Pavlovic’s volatility and Gabbia’s limitations, an internal solution might involve shifting Gila to the middle and deploying Koni De Winter on the right, but such experiments may not fully resolve the issues.

Ultimately, the preseason setback against Celtic serves as a valuable lesson. Milan are in the early stages of a tactical overhaul, and these ‘Build-up teething issues Why another centre-back could be crucial for Amorim s Milan’ will be addressed through repetitive drills and, possibly, new signings. If the management can secure a centre-back who excels in possession, Amorim’s vision could flourish. Otherwise, the team may continue to struggle in the build-up phase, undermining their attacking potential. The coming weeks will be critical in determining how Milan navigates this transition—and whether they can turn teething problems into a solid foundation.