After weeks of speculation about a possible change in formation, it looks like Massimiliano Allegri is seriously considering it.
Milan’s Scudetto push has faltered as a result of losing three of their last six games in the league, and what will worry Allegri is that each of them came via a 1-0 scoreline, meaning that his side are struggling more than they were in attack.
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As a result, there have been growing calls for the coach to swap out the 3-5-2 and move to a system that still has three midfielders for cover but features a three-pronged attack, with natural wingers and a striker.
Allegri tries the three-man attack
According to Sky (via MilanNews), Milan continued their preparations at Milanello today ahead of their home game against Udinese on Saturday at 18:00 CEST, which is another must-win game.
During the session, Allegri also tested a three-man attack with Christian Pulisic on the right and Rafael Leao on the left, while Santiago Gimenez and Niclas Füllkrug alternated at centre-forward. The Mexican is currently favoured over the German to start.
With the potential change in formation and the switch to a 4-3-3, the coach’s goal is to reinvigorate Milan’s attack, which has been scoring infrequently through its forwards lately (the last goal by a Rossoneri striker dates back over a month).
Elsewhere, it’s worth noting that Matteo Gabbia is also back in the squad having recovered, and that means will be available for the Udinese match. Whether he will be straight back into the side remains another discussion.
Let see how the formation will work or not
With our available squad, I think we should try the 3-4-3… As Allegri like to use 3-men on defence…
3-4-3 would be my choice as well.
Given the defensive personnel, I would opt for 3-4-3 as well.
Our CBs are just not good at playing in a 4 back.
Not gonna happen. It will be a 352 with Rafa/Santi and Pulisic up top
Looks like Nkunku is now completely out of the equation. It was a funny last minute transfer. It’s not that he is a bad player, he is capable but he just does not belong here. Nobody asked for him, nobody ever thought of him, and yet he arrived with the timing of an Ibrahimovic-to-Milan transfer in 2011. Ridiculous.
He’s also the one that could be swapped in for any of those front 3 easiest probably.
? The question is why. He is useless.
He is as useless as the other 3
Nkunku is as useless as Leao & Pulisic? How to say you don’t understand football without saying you don’t understand football. 🤦♂️
cz he’s from Chelsea
He has 5 goals and 3 asssits in the league and another goal in Coppa. That’s not useless. Neither Rafa nor Pulisic have double his goals, and they’re starters.
You all have been blaming the formation for the lack of production from Pulisic and Rafa, and yet don’t make the same excuse for a guy who wasn’t even coming in as a starter for most matches, playing in the same formation.
I’d like to see him at CF with Leao and Puli on the wings
Exactly
Nkunku is also a good LW and he played well there at Leipzig. 433 is the way to go but the CB pairing should be De Winter and Gabbia.
Pavlovic is not good in a back 4 and Milan should cash in on him this summer as it makes no sense to build the team around a 352 formation. Tomori should be sold as well.
How is he good? He can’t dribble, most of his passes go backwards and he isn’t fast to run past players. He is a horrible winger…
and Pulisic hasnt scored for over 4 months
yes, and this is glued for eternity. He will never ever score again.
(uhm… do I have to mention the sarcasm?)
It’s just not the formation. As I’ve said before, Inter plays a 3-5-2 but they commit players forward. The midfielders push higher up to make runs. With a 4-3-3 to be effective you’ve got to commit players forward especially an outside back. Think how Theo played (but forget his defense). When you watch ACM the play is too slow, it is more lateral and when a forward receives the ball how many passing options do they have? Yes, some of this takes away from the defense, but the defensive now takes in my mind too much from the offense. A better balance is needed. A good manager finds this balance; that’s their job.
Yup