TacticsReport

Case study

Bologna vs AC Milan Opposition Analysis (GW23)

A coach-facing opposition deck for a Serie A away match, built around Bologna’s press, Ravaglia’s build-up risk, wide switch opportunities, and Zone 14 control.

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Slide flow

Case study mapped to the deck

The page follows the 22-slide opposition deck: brief, opponent identity, three match principles, execution routes, and staff recap.

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1-4Brief and opponent scan 5The three match-defining principles 6-9Principle A - The Ravaglia Trap 10-12Principle B - Break the man-oriented press with switches 13-17Principle C - Zone 14 lockdown 18-22Execution routes and staff recap

Slides

1-4

Match context

Brief and opponent scan

The plan starts by locking the match constraints before any clip work: away match, must-win context, first-choice XI, and Bologna as a high-pressing, high-line opponent with Federico Ravaglia likely starting in goal.

Target script: absorb the early pressing storm, then punish transition space.
Milan structure: 3-5-2 in possession, 5-3-2 low/mid block without both eights jumping high together.
Opponent profile: high PPDA, high crossing volume, aggressive fullbacks, and recovery gaps behind the line.

Slides

Game plan frame

The three match-defining principles

The deck turns the opponent scan into three coachable principles that carry the rest of the presentation.

A: invite the Ravaglia back-pass, screen the six, then trap the first vertical pass.
B: use early switches to attack the free player created by man-oriented pressing.
C: allow lower-value wide deliveries while protecting Zone 14 and the cutback lane.

Slides

6-9

Targeted pressing

Principle A - The Ravaglia Trap

Selective pressing keeps the team compact until the goalkeeper receives with a predictable first vertical option. The closest striker jumps, the far striker blocks the return, and the midfield screen removes the six.

Do not spend energy on constant high press; wait for the goalkeeper trigger.
Force long distribution or a direct turnover around Bologna’s own 40 meters.
Stress the backup goalkeeper early with shots, set-piece traffic, and repeat pressure cues.

Clips

A1 - Principle A - Clip 1

A2 - Principle A - Clip 2

A3 - Principle A - Clip 3

Slides

10-12

Wide switch routes

Principle B - Break the man-oriented press with switches

Bologna’s press can over-commit one side and leave the far wingback free. The attacking route is to bait the jump, switch early, and immediately attack the channel if the fullback steps.

Build calmly in a 3+2 to draw the winger onto the wide center-back.
Find the far wingback early instead of bouncing slowly through marked central players.
If trapped on the touchline, go long into the target channel and squeeze the second ball.

Clips

B1 - Principle B - Clip 1

B2 - Principle B - Clip 2

Slides

13-17

Anti-cutback rules

Principle C - Zone 14 lockdown

The defensive rule is pragmatic: tolerate wide crosses when the box is set, but do not allow the cutback into the D. The back three own the box while the midfield three protect the late-arrival zone.

Wingbacks delay and show outside instead of diving into the first action.
Midfielders track late runners to the edge of the box, not all the way to the goal line.
Accept low-xG shots from distance if the D and penalty spot stay protected.

Clips

C1 - Principle C - Clip 1

C2 - Principle C - Clip 2

C3 - Principle C - Clip 3

C4 - Principle C - Clip 4

Slides

18-22

Meeting script

Execution routes and staff recap

The final block turns the principles into score routes, threat controls, set-piece work, game-state contingencies, and a one-page recap for the staff meeting.

Primary scoring routes: transitions into channels, press-to-shot moments, far-post attacks after switches, and second-phase set pieces.
Primary controls: show wide players outside, win first contact on crosses, protect rest-defense 3+2, and keep Zone 14 closed.
Golden rule across game states: the D stays protected, even when chasing the match.

Project notes

Decision summary

Brief

How should Milan control Bologna’s high press and high-volume wide attacks while still finding repeatable ways to score away from home?

Pre-match opposition preparation for Bologna vs AC Milan, Serie A 2025/26 GW23, built for a staff meeting and match-plan discussion.

Inputs

22-slide PDF deck, 9 coded video clips, five reference matches, event-data CSVs, match notes, and goalkeeper pass-map context.

Reduced the opponent scan into three match-defining principles, then paired each principle with clip evidence and coach-facing responsibilities.

Decision support

A 22-slide opposition deck, embedded clip package, tactical principle map, score routes, defensive controls, set-piece notes, contingencies, and staff recap.

Supports coaching staff decisions on pressing triggers, rest-defense risk, wide progression routes, Zone 14 protection, and set-piece priorities.

Limits and follow-up

The public portfolio page shows selected deliverables and self-hosted clips; it does not include the full private project folder, raw CSVs, or deeper video annotation notes.

Pair the opposition plan with post-match review to compare the intended principles against the actual match outcomes and coaching adjustments.

Coaching questionsOpponent analysisVideoMatch dayTacticsSerie A

Tactics

How to Build an Opposition Analysis Report

12 min