Sergio Conceiçao’s ‘new’ Milan is slowly taking shape, and it was certainly helped by the business that was done during the winter window.
The revolution that took place in the last few days of the transfer market seems to have been ordered by the Portuguese coach himself, who now cannot afford to fail after having been satisfied by the directors.
As Tuttosport (via MilanNews) report, the enthusiasm has grown since February 3, especially after the Coppa Italia game against Roma on Wednesday in which the Rossoneri booked their place in the semi-finals of the competition.
Conceicao also offered a teaser of what is to come in the next few weeks as Joao Felix and Santiago Gimenez came off the bench (as well as Riccardo Sottil) and Kyle Walker started. The Mexican and the Portuguese in particular made a fast impression, combining for a lovely goal.
Milan can become an ultra-attacking team with the ‘fantastic four’ – with Gimenez and Felix flanked by Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao – but more importantly they are getting increasingly closer to being able to carry out what Conceicao wants.
It does not seem to be something that we will see instantly though, and because of a factor that has been spoken about a lot already this season: balance. Having four creative forwards (plus Tijjani Reijnders) should guarantee goals, but the aim is to keep them out too.
Of course its exciting to think of four great attackers plus Tiji and Theo but let’s be real its completely suicidal, especially if our tactics do not involve controlling the ball.
We will get overrun against good teams.
Yes we will need to be clever at times, Fofana and Ricci as the pivot would be perfect In bigger games with Reijnders the 10.
Reijnders is not a 10, never was, never will be. He doesn’t have the creativity to unlock defenses and he isn’t forward-thinking enough. He is a typical 8, and his gifts are his technical ability and his ball-carrying.
agree.
Leonardo’s 4-2-Fantasia!!! lol Wasnt made for the long haul but it was fun as hell. LOL In all seriousness, It probably means more work-rate from Leao and Puli, OR less movement forward from Theo and Walker.
Back in the tiki-taka days, Barcelona only had Busquets as a DM. Different strategy though; Barca pressed high and kept the ball.
This formation might work for smaller teams, where Fofana can do it all and opponents sit deep.
Midfield with Musah Reijnders and Fofana is strong. Ricci as deputy would be awesome, Saelemakers-> in, Chukwueze and Ruben Loftus out. For that money one strong centre back.
Ricci will not be a backup if we sign him.
Absolutely!!!
RLC & chukwueze OUT
Salad & Ricci IN
The 442 would bang can alternate Felix & Leao as the second striker while sottil, Jimenez & Pulisic can lock down the wings
Everybody is a stupid COACH here
Ricci would be our best DM
I am concerned about the lack of balance.
Playing Leao/Santi/Puli and Felix is too lopsided and top heavy. The only way to mitigate that is to put two DM’s behind Felix, likely Fofana/Bondo/musah mix. But that comes at the expense of Reijnders who has been scoring plenty playing behind the striker.
SO if Felix and Reijnders can not coexist from a defensive standpoint, what gives??
Reijnders covers a lot of ground. I’d think he’d be fine next to Fofana.
Mike
Walker Tomori Pav Théo
Fofana Reijnders
Pulisic. Felix. Leao
Santi
Looks like a good starting 11 to me and now there is plenty of quality depth. Tomori and Pav can be replaced with Gabbia and Thiaw if they are tired or revert back to playing bad. Musah, Bondo, Jimenez, Abraham, Sottil, Camarda also as options to give the better players a rest.
That’s basically my front 6, as well. The only things I’m not 100% about yet is the CB partnership, but I guess they will alternate, anyway.
My only worry with that line-up is whether they lack some defensive solidity. It would mean Fofana is the lone defensive midfielder.