After the failed 4-3-3 experiment against Udinese, Massimiliano Allegri will revert to the usual formation on Saturday evening, which means Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic start up front.
It’s been said by many since, including us, but the formation experiment was indeed a massive failure for the Rossoneri. The scoreline said it all and now they will have to bounce back with a strong performance against Hellas Verona.
Without a win, in fact, the Champions League race could become a proper worry as Como are just five points behind in the standings. They have also been in much better form than Milan lately despite the defeat to Inter, so another slip-up on Sunday would be devastating.
Stars to start despite tally
As reported by Gazzetta dello Sport this morning (see photo at the bottom), Allegri will revert to the 3-5-2 formation for the Verona clash. Furthermore, Leao and Pulisic will be the starting strikers, going back to basics even if they have both struggled a lot lately.
The two have started together just nine times in 2025-26, including the first game against Bari in the Coppa Italia, and their record is mixed: Five wins, one draw and three defeats. The defeats all came from late February and onward, which says a lot.
More so than the above, however, Milan’s goal tally is perplexing: the Rossoneri have scored just eight goals when the star duo have started together. Less than one per game, in other words.
Furthermore, only five of Milan’s 47 league goals have come with both of them on the pitch at the same time, which is staggering. Of those five, only two have come directly from Leao (1-1 draw against Genoa) or Pulisic (1-0 win against Inter, first leg).
So he keeps on insisting the square pegs go in the round holes, eh… Anyone surprised? And please don’t go claiming “but it has worked miraculously as we’re 3rd with the squad that finished 8th last season!!!”. 🤦♂️
we 3rd because Seria A is suck. Others team disaster. Inter disaster too. Just look Europian competition even Portugal is better now then Italy.
We not anymore at top 5 so that is
Yep. Can’t argue with that.
Id like to assume this has to be the easiest test and confidence building game for both Leao and Pulisic. If they truly cannot score or provide an assist that means they are completely done, we can’t expect them to compete vs Atalanta and Juve and the remaining games. I believe this is Allegri telling them, this is your low hanging fruit get goals and rebuild confidence
Unfortunately Milan mostly struggle against bottom teams so they might do better against Juve and Atalanta.
Ok, I get it, you can’t play with four in the back. But you can’t keep playing a 3-5-2 in the same manner.
352 is what got us where we are, because we aren’t solid enough for any other open formation. The problem is that our attack takes a hit in this formation.
Guess we’ll be relying on individual moments of brilliance because that’s the only way we’re scoring.
Always a good idea to rely on one player having a great day to carry the rest of the team on his back if we want to win. Tactics, playbooks and team-play is soooooooooooo overrated.
Why wouldn’t you want to bet your money on Pulisic, Leao or even Füllkrug delivering? Or Nkunku? It’s like putting money in the bank.
The 3-5 I have no issue with given the predicament. It’s the 2 I’d like to have repackaged …
We will still be playing a man down because LEAO thinks he can just hang up front and wait for someone to pass him the ball so that he can lose it on the run or miss pass the ball. And Oh Yes , lets not forget he plays minimum DEFENCE and can rarely win a ball.