"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."
"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."
AC Milan currently have the highest PPDA in Serie A, indicating the least intense high press in the league. PPDA measures how many passes opponents make before a defensive action; lower values indicate more intense pressing. Under Massimiliano Allegri, Milan rank 11th in winning possession in the opposition half, contrasting with the 2021-22 Scudetto side that had the lowest PPDA and dominated possession in the opponents' defensive third. Allegri acknowledged difficulty interpreting PPDA numbers, suggested improving possession in the opposition half, emphasized respect for player characteristics, and noted Luka Modric's ability to adjust tempo and influence pressing positioning.
Read at SempreMilan
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