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AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri has offered his response to the notion that his side are deploying a stand-off approach.
A tweet from our tactical analysis writer Rohit Rajeev pointed out some interesting numbers regarding Milan’s style of play out of possession. They currently have the highest PPDA (Passes Per Defensive Action) in Serie A meaning the least intense high press in the league.
Passes Per Defensive Action quantifies a team’s pressing intensity by measuring the number of passes an opponent can make before the defending team performs a defensive action. Therefore, a lower number means a more intense press, as was seen under Stefano Pioli.
In fact, data from Opta (via FotMob) shows just how much things have changed under Allegri. The Scudetto-winning Milan of 2021-22 had the lowest PPDA and won the most possession in the opposition’s defensive third.
Allegri responds
Now, Milan rank 11th, a clear sign of how Allegri’s side deliberately cede space in the opposition half, inviting pressure to win the ball deeper and strike on the counter. The word seems to have got to journalists, who asked the coach for his thoughts in his pre-Parma press conference.
Milan are a more cautious team and don’t press much. Is this a positive quality, or does it need improvement?
“I’m very basic. I struggle to understand these PPDA numbers. We can improve our possession phase in the opposition’s half because sometimes we’re too hasty, but it also depends on the players’ characteristics. We have instinctive players who are quick to finish off plays.
“Modric can help us a lot by lowering or raising the tempo. We need to be a little higher up in the pressure phase, but the players’ characteristics need to be respected.”
Milan currently have the highest PPDA in Serie A — meaning the least intense high press in the league. 📊
Data from Opta (via FotMob) shows just how much things have changed under Allegri. The Scudetto-winning Milan of 2021/22 had the lowest PPDA and won the most possession in… https://t.co/Jq9Zz7Brm3 pic.twitter.com/NDjp53r8NR
— Rohit Rajeev (@keralista) November 6, 2025
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