With Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao returning, AC Milan have a much healthier-looking front line. As a result, they could be used in their more natural positions again.
The idea to play a 4-3-3 with Milan was there from the start for Massimiliano Allegri. In fact, he actually started with the formation before changing to a 3-5-2 after the first game of the season. Since then, with the Rossoneri unbeaten, he has not looked back.
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However, there have been more than a few suggestions that he could actually revert to a 4-3-3 at some point in the year.
Allegri’s idea to change
With returns up top, it seems that these suggestions could come to fruition soon. Calciomercato.com reports that with Leao, Pulisic and even Santiago Gimenez getting ready to come back, Allegri’s attacking choices look to be in a great position.
As a result, he would have more freedom to have three attackers on the pitch, whilst also having options to look to on the bench, should he need to. Something which he has not often had available to him.
Of course, there is also the fact that his team have experimented with a four defender system during games already this year. This is something that the Italian wants to make a more common orientation for his team, indeed.




you of course he could. Everyone and their mother has been saying it all season. But, he’s not going to.
You’re right. But don’t you want to get the best out of your two best offensive players? I know we’re in 2nd place. I just don’t believe it’s a long term strategy to win trophies. People are writing off the two Italian trophies ACM didn’t win. Sorry, that to me is a losing attitude one I’m sure the players don’t hold.
I agree that we should go 4-3-3 because it puts our best players on the field at the same time. I understand we he isn’t … we are in 2nd place with one loss playing with 2 up top
cause Alexis, Athekame, Barte, Gabbia, Pavlovic – all of them are better in 3 men defense
Exactly, destabilizing the defense is the worst thing to do right now.
Allegri fixed the midfield problems that plagued us the last 3-4 seasons last summer. He didn’t have the money to fix ALL the problems.
Fixing the defense will be a problem for 2026 summer, but in order to get there you need to earn UCL qualifications so that you have the money to fix said defense. De Winter was an Allegri and Tare buy, and he’s already the best defender of the bunch. Pavlovic, Gabbia and Tomori all need to be shown the door for better defenders IMHO.
Unfortunately true.
Us being 2nd is so misleading, we’ve been godawful for 90% of the season
of course not. But he wont because he is a results first coach. Even more so, because he is a defensive minded coach. He wont destabilize a working solid defensive unit in the last few rounds of the season. He will surely try it in the offseason and going into the new season. But right now, he’s all about getting the results.
100% correct. How many times does Allegri need to say 352 before you start believing him?
Leao – Gimenez – Puli
Nkunku – Fulkrug – Alexis (not best position for him)
midfield still 3 men so no change*
Barte – Pavlovic – Gabbia – deWinter
Estupinan – Tomori – deWinter* – Athekame
Gabbia, Pavlovic and Alexis will all be in a weird positions now and Nkunku was also starting to function well in 2 men attack… defense only worked this well, compared to last year, due to 5 being in the back… only Pavlovic and Tomori are fast but none have good decision making for high line
It’s still going to be Salad as RB. He’s earned it and just signed a contract extension. We’d be rewinding the clock to 2024 with him. We don’t need an exact depth chart, despite technically being a winger short. Nkunku can play on both flanks and so can Pulisic.
4-3-3 means weakening the defense. This alone is enough to not switch it up.
3 4 3 better
Same thought. I wonder why he never tried it. I suspect our midfielders aren’t physically and technically strong enough for that. On paper, only Rabiot is suitable.
2 defense and 2 offensive in the midfield…depends on the oponent…❤️🖤🫰🏽😄🙏🏽
Well, a good team with a good coach should be able to play different styles and formations depending on the opponent. But Allegri is not that guy.
Even though we have the attacking personnel for a 433, I don’t think Max has enough faith in our CB’s for 4 at the back and I can’t blame him.
Sick of being teased with a decent formation
He can play 343, 433, 4231… Just put Leap on the wings…
I agree with Allegri playing the 4-3-3 formation yes
M.maignan
Athekame,dewinter, Pavlovic, batasaghi
Samuele Ricci,Fofana,modric
Saelamakers, fullkrug,Rafael leao
Then look at 4-2-3-1 this way
M.maignan
Tomori,Gabbia, Pavlovic,estupinan
Fofana, rabiot
Salemakers,pulisic/Nkunku,leao
Gimenez
But if you look at the 4-2-3-1 the central defender know as Gabbia or Pavlovic will play the ball direct to the striker, then Milan players launching attack immediately with double pressing the opponent midfield to their box. Not allowing the opponent to hold the ball at all the the attacking midfielder becomes super active supporting the wingers such as leao and salemakers to score goals.