AC Milan head coach Sergio Conceicao declared a desire to try new formations in the games to come, and the use of a three-man defence is expected.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport recall, Silvio Berlusconi had essentially banned playing with three at the back because it was immoral. He believed that only a four-man defence was suitable for Milan, and it helps when Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini are among them.
Stefano Pioli used three centre-backs from the start only in emergency situations and during the Champions League run of 2022-23, Paulo Fonseca never used it and Conceiçao has not either. However, he said something interesting yesterday in his pre-Lazio press conference.
“I’ll play a few games in a different way, if I have time. From Tuesday I’ll work on another game system,” The clue is strong: Conceiçao is most likely studying using a three-man defence, but how will the team set up?
The right-sided centre-back will almost certainly be Kyle Walker, who formally plays right-back now. Theo Hernandez and Alex Jimenez could then push up as wing-backs, having more cover in transition, perhaps from Yunus Musah.
However, Milan are not a 3-5-2 team because the strengths of the attack are the wingers, Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic. Much more logical is a 3-4-3 or its narrow variant, the 3-4-2-1, with Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders having similar tasks in a double pivot.
At present Pulisic has to do a lot of work out of possession because Joao Felix, Leao and Santiago Gimenez are not famous for their defensive contribution. In a 3-4-3, however, he would have Jimenez (or Musah) to cover his back.
Milan with Jimenez, Walker (or Tomori), Thiaw (or Gabbia), Pavlovic and Theo would potentially have a five-man line and would be less unbalanced. It is a bit surprising that Fonseca and Conceiçao have never tried, except in some special last-minute situations.
With the weeks off without the Champions League, unfortunately for him, Conceicao will have time to do extensive testing at Milanello.
More like it.
Leao/Sottil-Gimenez- Pulisic/Sottil
Theo/Alexis- Rejnders-fofana-musah/Alexis
Pav/Fik-Gabia/Thiaw-walker/Fik
Been saying 3-4-3 would be better for this squad for months.
Still think he should play Pavlovic-Thiaw-Tomori as the three man backline where Pavlovic and Tomori can play agressive against the forwards with Thiaw covering behind them.
Then Hernandez-Reijnders-Fofana-Walker infront of them, with Leao-Gimenez-Pulisic to lead the line. Leao and Pulisic can constantly move towards the middle opening up space for Hernandez/Walker on the flanks and giving Gimenez more support central.
This would also give better coverage on the flanks defensively and Leao-Pulicis can focus on shutting down the middle with Gimenez defending in a 5-2-2-1.
This also allows Pavlovic and Tomori to come out and help Hernandez and Walker more while still having 2 CBs central, instead of one everytime Leao and Pulisic have been outpayed or havent tracked back. This have been our biggest achilles heal so far this season.
Behind the staring 11 we then have Bartesaghi and Gimenez as options for Hernandez and Walker, and Sottil-Abraham/Felix-Chuckwueze options for the front three.
Bondo and Musah can step in for Reijnders or Fofana if needed.
In the back Gabbia can fill in for any of the three CBs
Thiaw as the center of CBs wouldn’t work. Too error-prone. It should be Gabbia in the middle.
Hes been the best CB since the injury and havent made any errors lately. Hes also the by far best passer of the 4 CBs with the ability to cross and switch sides fast. Thats why he needs to be in the center position.
I agree that Gabbia would be the other choice for the middle since Pavlovic and Tomori are to aggressive and would go forward too often opening up the space behind.
Very good analysis.
Seems too unbalanced with your three CB’s starting And Theo and Walker. Also we’ve tried the 3 man back – renders Theo and Leao ineffective because they have to space to run into and are too close to each other.
Not like our players are motivated to perform, but I think 433 feels like the best formation, without Felix.
Reijnders at the 10, to DM’s behind him. Leao/Santi/Puli and whoever is fresh at the back to defend – which I would give Gabbia minutes.
Milan should play 433 with Musah and Fofana doing the defensive dirty work to give Reinjders freedom to support the front 3. Walker is not a wingback.
Yes we need a change. Anthough on paper 433 looks good it’s just not working for us. Let’s try something else with 3 back sounds good to me