AC Milan head coach Sergio Conceicao is tempted to field Joao Felix, Rafael Leao, Santiago Gimenez and Christian Pulisic together from minute one against Feyenoord.
That is according to La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below), who report that Conceiçao has been preparing for the Dutch away game since yesterday but without having left clear tactical indications.
A bit more will be understood today as we get closer to kick-off time, even more so if the coach is generous in providing information in his pre-match press conference.
Potential
The idea is there and the precedent is favourable: with their ‘four aces’ on the field, Milan overcame Empoli’s resistance and scored the decisive two goals in Tuscany on Saturday night.
On that occasion Rafa and Pulisic were the wingers, Gimenez the centre-forward and Joao Felix in a more central position went to help the midfield pair. Conceiçao did not shy away from using the hyper-attacking system even after the red card.
Of course, the context was different: against Empoli Milan could not afford to slow down. In the Netherlands it will be leg one of two, so arguably the Rossoneri do not need to push forward, being able to count on the return match at San Siro.
On the other hand, deploying all of their potential and closing the tie at De Kuip would be useful to manage energy in the home match. The disqualification of the wildcard Yunus Musah also eliminates a series of reserve options and thus the alternatives in midfield are reduced.
The doubt
How could the side be modified? Filippo Terracciano may start in place of one of the aforementioned four forwards, with Leao and Felix among the main suspects.
The ‘front-wheel drive Milan’ must be supported by the spirit of sacrifice of everyone, which means Tijjani Reijnders could play closer to Youssouf Fofana and less attracted by the opposition penalty area. Theo might have to stay back a bit too.
Gimenez cannot be the one to miss out given he is now the starting striker and it will be a game that means a lot for him, while Pulisic showed once again at the weekend that he is the creative heart of the side.
Leao is not in top condition, still battling some slight ankle discomfort. Then, after the goal against Roma and his performance as a starter against Empoli, removing Joao Felix might seem like a contradiction. The decisions, as always, rest in the hands of Conceicao.
Just play 4-4-2 Mike – Walker Tomori Pavlovic Theo – Rafa Reijnders Fofana pulisic – Gimenez Felix.
We need to be attacking. This is a chance to show Europe that the rosseneri are truly back.
I agree this seems formation seems good
4-2-Fantasia?
hehe yup. It was a lot of fun back then. doesnt really work for an entire season, as Leonardo proved it but it was fun as hell.
It requires a very solid defense, at least one uber solid DM and discipline. Sort of like the Brazil of Kaka, Dinho, Adriano and Ronaldo. That Brazil had Gilberto Silva as DB, Ze Roberto as the other mid + a back 4 of Lucio, Cafu and R Carlos. In our Case, Fofana needs to up his Defensive game, Tiji needs to run more (like Ze Roberto) and our CBs need a lot of work in chemestry. We arent there yet
Felix is an offensive midfielder and yesterday he announced that the coach promised him that he will play in the position that suits him best. Milan will play 4-2-3-1 Pulisic, Felix, Leao and Gimenez. Flick won the Champions League with a 4-2-3-1 with Coman-Müller-Gnabry and Lewandowski, so no one said the defense was weak.
Feyenord is not Empoli so they have to be careful.