Massimiliano Allegri has seemingly decided to move forward with the three-man backline for the upcoming season, or at least Luca Bianchin believes so.
Two pre-season friendlies have been played so far and in both of them, Allegri deployed a three-man backline of Fikayo Tomori, Malick Thiaw and Strahinja Pavlovic from start. In the third friendly, against Perth Glory tomorrow, the defence is set to remain unchanged.
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In addition to the importance of creating a solid foundation, relying on the same players, this shows that Allegri likes playing three at the back. Initially, reports suggested that he would use a 4-3-3 but even with signings, this might just be an alternative.
Bianchin’s comments
In one of his latest editorials for Gazzetta dello Sport, whilst highlighting that a lot could change between now and September, Luca Bianchin also stated that the three-man backline is the certainty. Not to say that it will be the only formation used, but it’s clearly the favourite.
“Final decision? Calm down… It’s impossible to predict what AC Milan will look like in September: it’s an equation with six, seven, or eight unknowns. Will Jashari arrive? Who will be the centre-forward? How will the key players fare?
“There are some certainties, though. The three-man defence has become more than an option: it’s now the primary option for AC Milan in 2025-26. Allegri will most likely vary this season, depending on injuries, opponents, and fitness,” he wrote.
If we play a 3-5-2. Getting another CB is the priority. Chuk would for sure have to go as he is only a true right wing, keeping Okafor may be the best option as I think he would do well in a two forward set up. Rafa and Pulisic up top with Gimenez and Okafaor as deputies.
352 risk can’t accommodate salad, pulusic, and Leao.
343 seems more appropriate with salad & pulisic/chukuweze attacking on the right would be good while estupinian/Jimenez and Leao operate on the left.
Pavlovic/Bartesarghi LCB; Thiaw also did well in that role against Liverpool.
Secure a solid tidy CB and close the jashari deal.
They play 352 in few specific games but I think we would see more of 343/442.
I like your analysis.
I am not sure how you get to a 442 with the current squad. Can you expand that?
I think because Leao, that we tend to think wingers are a must. But consider a 3421 for a moment with the players we have.
As Ted says below our current crew is well proportioned. I also agree with him about Bartesaghi who seems more suited to a CB role.
The mid allows us some interesting choices too. In the center pairing a Ricci (screen the D) with RLC (striker with some midfielder technical) than switch at the 60 to Mordric depending on the nature of the game.
On the right Salad is more given to RWB and can also play in the 2 above. He runs like Dunfries but has a brain that means a midfielder won’t have to sit still to cover his blunders. Jimenez and Musah provide depth.
On the left Pervis is more a defender and provides balance to the attacking nature of the right. Bartesaghi is not ideal as a backup but servicable. Same with Jimenez.
It gets very interesting when Puli (r) and Leao (L) play behind Jimenez.
We know Leao likes to be wide. So that pulls Puli more central where he makes the very intelligent runs that get us scoring opportunities.
We have seen Leao play more centrally well. So if Puli pulls wide we have two strikers and defenses will have to adapt on the fly.
Salad covers Puli for rear and knocks. Ok4 covers Leao and Jimenez. It is a shame we sent Columbo and Camarda away.
What I find tactically fascinating is the potential interplay on the right between Puli and Salad. On addition to confusing defenses b/t Leao and Puli pulling wide at various times, Puli and Salad switching vertically forces even more defensive adaptation in game.
With last year’s coach I had not confidence such complex thoughts could be developed. But Allegri has shown he uses the players he has to the best of their ability. He provides structure and expects creativity within the structure.
Seems all we really need is a 9 and that with the amounts of money earmarked for Jashari, Leoni, etc al we could actually pursue a Nunez or similar if wages can be aligned.
All in all the additions of Mordric, Ricci and Pervis start to look well considered in the context of how the squad is shaping up in preseason.
Let the fun begin- not.
What if we sign a striker like Vlahovic? Does that mean Pulisic is out? The truth is we won’t know what the team will look like until a month or two into the season.
We played two games with 30% possession. We looked like Getafe against Barcelona and we’re going to play 3-5-2 straight away?? Wasn’t Pioli trying to make Leao play second striker? Do you really think that is possible with Leao and Pulisic???
To be fair it was against Arsenal and Liverpool. Milan will have plenty more possession in a majority of Serie A games.
If this is true then Vlahovic should not be coming and it’ll look like they’d be better off selling Gimenez then. Pulisic and Leao have to be the starters no question and anytime they aren’t on the field should only be to rest them. 352 really leaves no room for a true striker in this case. Playing Pulisic or Leao as a wingback is terrible and I doubt Pulisic would have stayed or at least he won’t commit to a contract extension if he’s playing wingback. 30 mil for Gimenez to be a backup is a little much so I don’t see Allegri committing to 352 until he knows for sure that Gimenez can’t hang or if Vlahovic isn’t coming.
To be honest the 3-5-2 is a very solid formation and with it we don’t need to sign much.maybe just jashari as d right wing back already has salaemakers and jimenez.also no need for a striker as we have Leao and puli, alongside okafor and gimenez.my dear though is against teams with low blocks cause leao’s speed will be useless and then we will need real striker instinct and midfielders with vision.only one I see coming with immense vision is modric all d rest are dms
Thiaw, Gabbia, Tomori, Pavlo, Bartesaghi. Three right footed and two left footed CB’s. Good proportion. Bartesaghi was never a LB or even worse a LWB. He’s always been a LCB.
We played two games with 30% possession. We looked like Getafe against Barcelona and we’re going to play 3-5-2 straight away?? Wasn’t Pioli trying to make Leao play second striker? Do you really think that is possible with Leao and Pulisic???
I don’t see 3-5-2 as a realistic formation with the roster as currently constructed.
Allegro try Musah at right wing back
Not sure why 352 is all that is talked about?
We are very suited to 343, 3421 and 3412.
Allegri is a clever chap. If he has decided 3 man defense because he is building around the players he has, then we can rely on him to play an attack that is equally adapted.
But yeah, everyone lose you minds and repeat after me … The San Siro is falling! The San Siro is falling!
If leao absence and chuk outt then 352 are good option. Jimenez or saladmaker are good in RWB . While infront gimenez – puli or gimenez – okafor for duo striker
Been saying this for weeks. Not sure how I feel about it. That’s Inter, Juventus, Milan, Roma, Atalanta, and possibly Napoli, all using 3-5-2 or some variant of a 3 back system.
This is a decent formation to break out when we’re the underdog but I don’t see it working at home against a very defensive team. That said, in those cases then it’s more 3-3-4 in the attacking phase so maybe our more defensive midfield allows us to use wingers instead of WBs.
3-5-2 will displace a lot of players, we’ve seen Leao play as a central striker, he doesn’t feel totally comfortable. Also players like Gimenez will be affected, Chuk as well. There will be a lot of competition in the midfield and it won’t be healthy.
It’s better we play a 3-2-4-1
Our defenders can stay, two wing flanks, Estu is know for offense at Brighton so it’s an advantage, he will be in competition with Salesmakers, I don’t know of the right flank yet. Two holding midfielders, one holding, one offensive, we keep our wingers and 1 striker
My opinion though
Forget all these articles, we will play either with a 4-3-3 or a 3-4-3 formation.
Playing with wingers is a must if we truly want to get the best out of Leao.