AC Milan once again changed formations for the game against Napoli and it paid dividends with a 4-0 win at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
MilanNews recall how Milan outclassed the league leaders in their own home and it could have even been a wider margin of victory, but in a strange paradox the result must be parked to one side because it would be silly to think that in the Champions League it will be so easy.
The tactical device that caught the eye more than the others is that of Rafael Leao, who looked back to his best out on the left wing, but also the fact that Brahim Diaz operated on the opposite flank.
The last time the Spaniard played as a right winger was against Juventus, a match in which Milan put on a show and won comfortably and he was among the best performers, scoring the second goal.
The switch from a 3-4-2-1 back to a 4-2-3-1 was to try and bring balance and a tactical identity back to Milan’s play in possession and it certainly succeeded, while waiting to see how Charles De Ketelaere might fit in.
The 4-2-3-1 seen at Maradona is very fluid and was often outlined as a 4-3-3 which in the build-up phase. Ismael Bennacer pushed further up to pin Lobotka, while Rade Krunic and Sandro Tonali were deeper, but the three in general gave intensity to the midfield department.
While getting the best out of those available, Pioli is now called upon to try and get players like De Ketelaere in form, who cannot be overlooked between now and the end of the season.
Saying Pioli must get CDK integrated is like putting lipstick on a pig. Pioli can try every shade of lipstick he can find but it’s still a pig.
This is off topic but given the season up to this point and the fact I doubt Milan will move on from Pioli, Milan needs investment in starters at the CF, DM or CM and a solution for the RW. Hopefully that can be done for under 50M 😬. A capable backup for the LB and CB position would be very wise as well. It will be interesting to see how Milan approaches the market. Hopefully there’s a foolish club will to pay money to sign Rebic or Origi…
Milan can sign Baldanzi from Empoli. He plays like Diaz and he can play RW/AM similar to Brahim Diaz in a 433. CDK can play as a CF or RW since he is left footed but I think CF is better and he will replace Origi.
Maldini can get Marcus Thuram for free and he will replace Ibra.
For the midfield Milan should invest in getting a player like Amrabat. We can offer Pobega plus cash for Amrabat.
Valeri from Cremonese as backup LB for Theo. Sell Gabbia and sign N’Dicka for our new CB. We can also get Umtiti for free from Leece to replace Kjaer who should also leave with Ibra.
So no need to spend crazy for a RW, CF, DM or backup LB. All can be done with 50-60m.
If follow your way , this club will fall on debt like inter. Did you think free transfer player not asking big commission + high salary ? Thuram will asking salary 7-8m euro nett/ season and commission 10-20m euro ( donnarumma get 20m euro from PSG for free transfer) . Umtiti most likely asking 4-5m euro nett like he get in barca while kjaer only 1,5m euro nett/ season with more impact than umtiti . Ndicka most likely asking 3-4m euro nett too, the only way we can sign ndicka are selling one from tomori or kalulu
CDK tends to look for space on the flanks anyways, so he should be tried in the position Brahim played in against Napoli. He is a different type of player, not raw pace but more of the lanky athleticism combined with skill that can exploit the space to take on left-backs or a central defender drawn out of position wide. I feel like his problem can be solved in this position if it unlocks his confidence to progress the ball and try things again, as he did in Belgium and when he is with his national team.
We saw a similar resurgance with Leao coming back from a stint with Portugal and being returned to his more comfortable position on the left wing. I hope Pioli tries this with CDK tomorrow in the match vs Empoli.
What skill? CDK lacks everything a footballer needs to shine.