Paulo Fonseca’s system in recent weeks has been a mixture between a 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2, but there have been questions asked about the sustainability of the formation due to a lack of proper depth at AC Milan.
Sustainability is a word that every Milan fan will recognise, considering the club have hammered the message home about the importance of keeping the club afloat rather than overspending heavily at a chance of success.
However, sustainability must be maintained across the pitch as well, and currently, it is not.
Fonseca’s recent usage of his squad has been heavily scrutinised, especially considering he rotates players at the lowest rate of any team in Europe. If injuries occur or fitness issues arise, there are then questions about his system.
The reasoning behind the lack of rotation has been due to a lack of ‘correct’ profiles, and if Youssouf Fofana or Tijjani Reijnders suffered an injury, there would be a visible gap left in the squad. Ultimately, this leads to the question of sustainability.
As Calciomercato.com suggests, there are other fragilities to the system, notably an issue with the pressing from the wide areas, and this means the central midfielders are tasked with a heavier workload, which can create inferiorities across the pitch.
There is a positive to the system – Milan can quickly make numerical advantages easily as a result of their more attacking shape, and this can lead to fluid counter-attacks. However, these do not reap the rewards often.
Ultimately, the report suggests that the system carries more risks than positives, and for this reason, it is suggested that the 4-3-3 would be beneficial.
433 or 343 makes a lot more sense given the players Milan have in the squad. What’s crazy is that Milan coaches including Pioli insist on using a formation that is limiting the players and team cohesion.
At this level I would expect them to have a more clear understanding of the players they have at their disposal and use a formation that fits the players they have instead of insisting on playing a formation that they want which is limiting the potential of their players.
Musah and RLC will not find any space in a 442. Okafor and Jovic are more of a 2nd striker. Too many mismatch players in the squad that don’t fit the desired formation. Either Milan sell players like Musah, RLC, Jovic and Okafor and recruit players like Ricci, Nico Paz, Gimenez and Gyokeres for their 4231 or 442 to work.
exactly i think fonseca needs to adapt how to the players style of play and not force his player to play the style he wnts
RLC actually played a lot of his career as a wide midfielder (as did Musah) although injuries have RLC not the same player…Musah’s defense would seem useful in multiple positions. This team needs counterattacks as it unlocks Leao, and whether wide or in the middle, having a ball-winner would give the forwards some chances without a full box. They are missing that aspect from last season…many of their goals came from counters for much of the season…