The difference between the first and second half of Milan’s win over Torino was clear, and again it came after a formation change.
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As Corriere dello Sport write, there are many factors behind the improvement, including differences in character and spirit, but it’s inevitable to see how much the change in formation benefited Luka Modric and his team-mates.
Massimiliano Allegri once again switched from the starting 3-5-2 to a 4-3-3, as fans had often called for throughout the season. This favours one-on-one situations on the wingers of Christian Pulisic (or Rafael Leao, when present) and Alexis Saelemaekers, bringing more attacking fluidity to the play.
A permanent change?
One thing needs to be clarified, however: Allegri didn’t change formation in the 45th minute of Milan-Torino. He did so about half an hour earlier, around the 15-minute mark, after his team had been subjected to the Granata’s running and positioning at every turn.
Fikayo Tomori went from right centre-back in the three-man defence to full-back, with Davide Bartesaghi dropping back from wing-back to left-back. The move helped the Rossoneri build into the first half, but not enough. Ultimately, it was helpful to switch to a more formal 4-3-3.
After half-time, Zachary Athekame came on for Tomori – a natural right-back for an adapted right-back – and the results were immediately visible. Milan, in the first 15 minutes of the second half, pushed hard, finding the two goals in quick succession that proved decisive in the victory.
They did so with an attacking fluidity rarely seen in recent weeks, with many players capable of supporting the play and the flanks used by the two wingers to create numerical superiority.
Two useful examples: for the 2-1 goal, seven Rossoneri players got involved in and around the penalty area. For the 3-1 goal, five players were inside the penalty area, as we pointed out in our tactical analysis.
The question over the break is a simple oe: will Allegri immediately return to the 4-3-3 from the start against Napoli, considering the many benefits it brought against Torino? The coach is likely to give very little away.
However, it is also worth pointing out that the ‘standard’ 3-5-2 has given the Rossoneri 60 points in the first 29 league games. It can be argued also that this is not the time – especially in such a potentially huge direct clash – to take tactical certainties away from the team.
Therefore, the 3-5-2 will very likely be the starting formation at the Maradona as well. And the 4-3-3, especially if Leao returns to the squad, will be the weapon during the match to try to secure second place in the standings.
The rule is always the same: application, desire, technique and quality are what count above numbers and formations.