GdS: Less runs, more possession – how Allegri wants Milan’s ‘new midfield’ to operate

As signing get completed and more targets emerge, a clearer picture can be formed regarding how Massimiliano Allegri wants his AC Milan to play.

This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) starts with the first move. To correct the lack of personality, Milan decided to sign the experienced Luka Modric and it will be made official after the FIFA Club World Cup.

Modric is a master of leadership: no one knows better than him how to behave to reach the top of international and European football, as a winner of the Ballon d’Or and record holder (shared) of Champions League trophies, with six.

To increase the technical and qualitative level, another prerequisite that inspires the formation of the new midfield, at least two other top players are needed. This also explains the Rossoneri’s relaunch for Samuele Ricci, used as a regista by Torino. He is an Italy international, and also a quality mezzala.

Ardon Jashari is more physical, but still has great technique. He combines all this with a great desire to join the Rossoneri, a will that made him decline other possible proposals and reiterate to his club, Brugge, that he would very much like to play at San Siro.

The Belgian side have accepted his requests but expect Milan to do the same with them: for Jashari they are asking €35m (fixed) compared to the €30m offered. With bonuses and other diplomacy a positive conclusion of the deal can be reached.

Milan in no rush

Igli Tare and co. cannot press firmly on the accelerator just yet because they first need to free space and raise funds with a sale. Yunus Musah is the first suspect with Wolverhampton and Nottingham Forest possible destinations.

Youssouf Fofana will remain as a more substantial midfielder, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek – in whom Tare and Allegri have great expectations – will have to provide guarantees on his physical condition after difficult seasons.

Last season RLC played 28 games without a goal, while in his debut year he made 40 appearances and even scored double figures, 10. Getting the 2024-25 version back would be an added weapon for Allegri.

How the midfield changes

Last season, first with Fonseca and then with Conceiçao, the midfield never found peace. The season ended with a line of four players, with Alex Jimenez and Theo Hernandez on the outside and Fofana-Reijnders in the centre.

On other occasions Tijjani had played as an attacking midfielder, with Musah in the midfield double pivot, and on other occasions the department was made up of three players with Reijnders either deeper or as a No.10.

The Dutchman knew how to find spaces and had excellent timing: receiving the ball was crucial. The new Rossoneri course will start again with players who know how to keep possession, who are fine passers.

The new Milan will seek to dominate the game and the runs of the mezzali will be dictated by the control room, according to the vision of Modric or perhaps Ricci. The club, following Max’s indications, has never wanted to replace Reijnders with a copy of the Dutchman.

Instead, they has focused on midfielders with other characteristics and have already brought home Modric while negotiating (with good chances of success) over Ricci and Jashari. Granit Xhaka is further away, too similar to the others.

And between Jashari and Javi Guerra, Allegri believes more in the talent of the Swiss. Who, as mentioned, reciprocates the esteem and has put Milan at the top of his preferences. The change that the club has in mind best summarises the strategy: out Musah, in Jashari.