Landucci: ‘Milan worked on defending, extraordinary performance’ | OneFootball

Max Allegri’s assistant Marco Landucci saw an ‘extraordinary’ performance from Milan to conquer Udinese 3-0. ‘We worked on defending both as groups and individuals.’

The Rossoneri are gradually finding their feet after starting the campaign with a shock 2-1 home defeat to Cremonese, as this was their third consecutive Serie A victory.

Following the 2-0 at Lecce and 1-0 over Bologna, they emerged with an impressive 3-0 result from the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, against a side that had until now been unbeaten.

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Udinese 0-3 Milan

The star of the show was Pulisic, who returned to the starting XI after an ankle problem and promptly scored two goals, also creating the third for Youssouf Fofana by pressing inside the opposition penalty area.

Milan taking the form of an Allegri side

UDINE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Youssouf Fofana of AC Milan celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Friuli on September 20, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

Considering it was their third consecutive Serie A clean sheet, is this Milan side finally being moulded into the ideas of Allegri?

“I don’t know if the team is taking on the characteristics of the coach, but the lads did put in an extraordinary performance this evening,” Landucci told Sky Sport Italia.

“They helped each other out, fought for every ball, but were also strong technically. We were a little afraid about the initial approach, but they were great from the start.”

At the final whistle, the players saluted the travelling fans, who got back to cheering them on after being on strike earlier in the season.

“This is a solid group and we have to take it one game at a time. We will get home late, then start preparing for the Coppa Italia, which is another very important match.”

Milan will continue to be without Allegri on the touchline for Tuesday’s Coppa Italia clash with Lecce, as the coach must complete the two-match ban from his last participation in this tournament for Juventus in 2024.

UDINE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Santiago Gimenez of AC Milan competes for the ball with Oier Zarraga of Udinese Calcio and Razvan Sava of Udinese Calcio during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Friuli on September 20, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

Allegri had said at the start that this team did not sense danger and react accordingly, so what changed?

“When we arrived, the group was eager to learn, and these are the results of that labour. They complain about nothing, they’ve been working so hard, and we created a solid group. Also, clearly the arrival of players like Rabiot help bring experience too,” continued Landucci.

“They realised the mistakes that were made against Cremonese, recognised that details make the difference, and fighting for every ball is essential. When you have the ball, you must try to score goals, when you don’t, you must try to defend. Football is simple that way, but it’s the truth.

“We looked at the statistics, and in two years Milan had conceded 49 and 43 goals, which are too many if you want to finish high up the table. We knew that was something we had to work on, which we did both as groups and individuals. These lads were eager to change and, as my coach says, we want to do as little damage as possible.”

UDINE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Marco Landucci, assistant Head Coach of AC Milan reacts during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Friuli on September 20, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

Curiously, without being prompted, Landucci also brought up the issue of Rafael Leao, as it is not clear where he will fit into this new 3-5-2 formation.

“I also want to point out that although he is injured at the moment, Rafael Leao has been an exemplary professional, and we can’t wait until he returns with us.”