Paulo Fonseca is hard at work on the training pitch trying to get his ideas across to the AC Milan squad, and some indications have come from training about the line-up he might rely on.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) report this morning, in a week Fonseca will finally have the complete squad available but in the meantime new Milan coach is working hard on the defensive phase that last year was the big problem for Milan.
That’s not all he is working on though, because he has some ideas for the attack too. Samuel Chukwueze has been one of the shining lights from preseason but didn’t get many starts last season due to Christian Pulisic’s form.
However, Fonseca does not intend to go without this version of Chukwueze (two assists against Manchester City and the winning goal against Real Madrid) and so he is seriously considering moving the American behind the striker and inserting the ex-Villarreal player on the right.
To complete the department there will obviously be Rafael Leao on the left and Alvaro Morata as centre-forward. Fonseca therefore has in mind a ‘super attacking Milan’ that will also have two full-backs like Theo Hernandez and Emerson Royal on the flanks.
With this formation, Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be moved back into the middle of the pitch alongside Tijjani Reijnders. If Pulisic’s move to the attacking midfielder role were to be confirmed, an alternative to Chukwueze would be needed on the right, but Fonseca already has the name in mind: Alexis Saelemaekers, who has impressed in preseason so far.
Sounds like a plan. But where do you put Fofana in this line up. Rotate with RLC and Tiji, because he needs to be a starter. It’s getting crowded in the midfield, I suppose we need sales. You already have Musah, Bennacer, Pobega and Adli that still need some mentioning. Coach will have his work cut out keeping all these players active. And we still have Samardzic as a potential target. We will have depth on the bench of course but we need to ship out some players…
We are competing in at least 3 competitions. We will need rotation, and smart rotation as well. Trust me, we will use them all, Samardzic, Fofana, Musah etc
why is your focus on only 11 players, a season is long we need atleast 2 players in each position
Judging by how Fonseca utilized his player in these friendlies, if we get Fofana, Kone or Samardzic, I don’t think RLC will have space in starting 11.
He start as 10 vs Rapid, and very different role midfielder vs City and Madrid. Seems Fons haven’t got exact plan for him.
“Sounds like a plan. But where do you put Fofana in this line up. Rotate with RLC and Tiji, because he needs to be a starter. ”
Well… The best coaches adapt their tactics based on the opponents. So, I’d prefer Milan to have at least 2 different formations/line-ups. That would also spread the load and wouldn’t cause the “Giroud starter in every match”-dilemma we had.
Fofana would certainly find his place in the team.
Chuckuweze looks like a brand new transfer for us. I think Musah will be better this season under Fonseca. But I hope Liberali will be our revelation, our next big thing .
I hope so too though he will surely play more with the Futuro.
so did you mean the mercato is close for us?
You know RLC can’t go five matches without getting injured. So fofana will get his chance to play
I like a leinup 3241
Toriani
Kalu-Tomori-Pavlovic
Tijani/ Benacer – Loftus
Chukew- Liberali-pulis- Leao
Morara
Exactly what I have been saying last season? Play Pulisic behind the striker since he has positioning and good finishing and play Chukwueze on the right wing for some actions.
Let’s allow Liberali grow. We saw how Camarda was bullied in the league. Let then grow. The club has laid a path for them to burst into the scene. Let’s not rush their development. Patience now
I like a leinup 3241
Toriani
Kalu-Tomori-Pavlovic
Tijani/ Benacer – Loftus
Salemakers / Chukew- Liberali-pulis- Leao/theo
Morara
Without Hernandez? That can’t be
so you will keep General Theo on the bench and maigan will be the new keeper coach right. what a dumb move.
then pulisic and liberali get injured, and we will make due with no creative AM for the rest of the season.
maignan
royal tomori pav theo
fofana Rei/Rlc
chuks puli leao
morata
is the best 11.
what we should be working on is the sub list.
how the sun can be tactically inclined when changes are made. i believe this is where fonseca has a task now.
we saw it last year with pioli, is subs where mostly wrong with milan losing insight on what tactics the coach want them to play and ending up dropping behind.
Actually it’s getting better and more interesting, the players are all needed, how to shuffle use them effectively efficiently is the plans fonseca should proper and let’s have double 11 starting teams to win every match that comes. 😀 high hopes and Milan glory will be back again
That’s what i was always dream of : Pulisic go AMC, like he did at USA National Team. Agile, smart movements, good shoots, good vision. Pulisic has everything to be the AMC. Hopefully Chukwueze will have his best next season, and Morata will be top scorer.
AMC : Pulisic, Adli, and hopefully Mattia Liberali might be the third choice AMC.
For Def area, i think Calabria is enough and i dont think we need Emerson Royal.
– RB : Calabria, Terraciano
– CBR : Gabbia, Thiaw
– CBL : Tomori, Kalulu
– LB : Theo, Florenzi, Alex Jimenez
We also have youngster Bartesaghi for more depth.
How about the Serbian Pavlovic, we didn’t bring him to come sit I guess