This season, rumours about a switch to a 4-3-3 have been regular. In the past month, though, they have been toned up massively.
There can be no denying that Milan are currently going through a rough patch. Their unbeaten run looks a while away and they look quite vulnerable now. It is very much a case of seeing the season out and getting the Champions League.
Perhaps a tad extreme, but the Rossoneri need to get the job done. Failing that would be devastating considering how they began the year…
The sacrifices
To help them get through, Massimiliano Allegri may finally make a formational change in an attempt to throw teams off. The Italian has used the formation regularly, changing systems in games. Yet, he has never started with it.
Now, Gazzetta dello Sport (as seen below) suggest that a change could be made and it would see two players lose their places within the team.
The first would be Fikayo Tomori – there would be no spot for him in a back four, and to facilitate the third option in attack, he would miss out.
The second would see Zachary Athekame replace Alexis Saelemaekers, which feels a tad unfair. Everything has hinged on the Belgian this season, so for him to lose his place to a system change would be a little harsh.
Milan possible XI (4-3-3): Maignan; Athekame, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Bartesaghi; Fofana, Modric, Rabiot; Pulisic, Gimenez, Leao
maybe try deWinter as RB
I think Saelmaeker is a better choice. It’s just not the formation, it’s what the players do. Saelmaeker is a better attacker. I want an outside back that can do overlaps and invert. The point is to have more runners in attack lanes. I think that while defensely Theo was terrible, he made runs that opened up options for Leão. Bartesaghi can cross, but I don’t think he is a good attacker with the ball at his feet. Maybe Pavolic doing the inverted run would work. Something Rudiger used to do for Chelsea. That said, I think it leaves the defense to exposed.
Saelemakers is not good in the final third. Between the boxes he is a workhorse. Athekame is a better crosser, defender, and has more pace.
Thei was a good defender, at times even world class when his head was on right. He seemed much worse defensively than he was, because he was otherworldly in attack.
I’d argue Theo is actually a better defender than every fullback we have now. Not that it’s saying a lot, but still something to consider.
Theo was statically one of the worst defenders in Italy…
Forget it boys. He’ll see the season out in 352. At most, sometimes we’ll switch to a 433 in game. Also, can all the freaking papers and people stop writing like it’s doomsday? Yes, we’ve had a bad run but these boys and this coach has showed that they are very resilient. Can we just put our faith in them instead of panicking over 2 bad losses? Next weeks it can just as easily be Como or Juve that slips up.
It’s not that. Can you not see that with Italy not qualifying for the WC and SerieA becoming more under scrutiny – Milan just doing the same boring pointless stuff that is not changing anything in Italian football. Allegri football is so ‘safe’ and boring. I’m getting bored watching this boring team play.
“Allegri football is so ‘safe’ and boring. ”
If it’s safe then why are Como & Juve getting closer and closer and Napoli got past us already? The doom’s day IS coming. Unless Allegri does something. 3-5-2 and zero good chances created against Udinese during the first 60 minutes will be my bet for Saturday. Maybe after 75 minutes he MIGHT consider the 4-3-3. MAYBE.
While Allegri has worked miracles given he hasn’t had a striker all season and Leao may or may not have an injury that he won’t fully recover from, Allegri still has to take some responsibility for such a negative approach against Napoli.
Also, why can’t Saelemaekers play RW until Leao is fit? I say he will be awesome there. And when Leao is fully fit again, isn’t it a good thing to give Saele a breather?
Bartesaghi should be converted to a CB because he lacks attacking capabilities big time. He should only fill in the LB/LWB position occasionally when truly needed.
what a terrible take. Bartesaghi is one of the best crossers on the team.
Bartesaghi is actually worse defensively than offensively
They should make him a Winger then.
This team needs a massive revamp on the defensive end.
People forget that Bart is only 20 and is far better defensively than Theo was. And he’s got nothing but upside …
Most of the goals Milan was giving up while Theo was in the team came from Theo’s side. Most of the goals that Milan gives up while Bartesaghi plays come from Bartesaghi’s side.
Also, being better than Theo doesn’t say much since Theo was terrible defensively.
3rd, my comment was comparing Bartesaghi offensive and defensive game, and right now at age 20 he is better offensively than defensively. We’ll see what will happen in the future and his upside, because people also said that Theo will have an upside defensively because Maldini was there in training and Theo only got worse
Lol. Bartesaghi played as a forward and a winger in his youth. Now you want to make him a CB? The Politano goal wasn’t the first time he blew his coverage. Also, notice how he tends to take the teams free kicks? Yeah, that’s because he can cross. So, no, he should remain a left back.
That wasn’t on Barteshagi, De Winter’s header was terrible and hung him out to try.
There’s no point in just doing it by halves. Playing Tomori RB and Saele RW, but I think that’s exactly what will happen. I’d like to see Nkunku tested as a cf with Puli and Leao on the wings though, I think we’d see a more effective player.
” I’d like to see Nkunku tested as a cf”
Trust me when I say that NOBODY wants to see that. Unless you hate Milan.
This is easily the worst AC Milan squad in a very long time. Dont let the current 3rd place fool you. This team is barely even a team. Sad stuff, tbh.
Last season we’ve managed to collect 63 points overall, this season we’re only halfway the season with same amount of points. So fooled.
Claiming the squad from year ago was better than this makes you lose any credibility. 🤦♂️
Both Tomori and Sale will play alot in this setup. I don’t think we have to sacrifice much, I the team is built for 3 up top and we sacrifice more by playing 5-3-2 than we would a 4-3-3
I question whether starting Modric in a 433 makes for a balanced midfield in transition.
You play the 4-3-3 to get the 2-0 lead and then you bring on the players to move to a 3-5-2 for a more defensive/possession based formation.
it allows Leao/Pulisic to shine offensively in more natural positions for them and then sets up the final 30 minutes to change the formation for more defensive/possession based but still offer familiarity.
Finally…
Don’t get your hopes up for nothing.
Changing from 3 to 4 at the back could disrupt our backline rhythm. I’d rather see them play 343/3421 but knowing Allegri, that won’t happen. He’s playing it safe and with only two bodies in the midfield, that just too much exposure for his taste.