Sergio Conceicao 4-4-2

Reports: How Conceicao could transition to 4-4-2 with five new signings

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

AC Milan were very active on transfer deadline day as they brought in several players, which could in turn facilitate a change in system.

This morning’s edition of Tuttosport (via MilanNews) recalls that Milan closed their winter transfer window yesterday with five signings, with the following headline: “Joao Felix-Sottil. Conceiçao redoes the 4-4-2 fantasy.”

The directors have implemented a real revolution to satisfy the requests of Sergio Conceiçao, who is aiming to field the Rossoneri team with a 4-4-2 formation, which is the system that he nearly always used at Porto.

The Portuguese coach expressly wanted Joao Felix and sees him as Santiago Gimenez’s attacking partner with Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao on the wings.

The arrival of Riccardo Sottil from Fiorentina on loan with the option to buy was done to strengthen the flanks and replace Noah Okafor, who in turn went on loan with the right to buy to Napoli.

Meanwhile, La Gazzetta dello Sport are also suggesting that there will now be a switch to using two up front in the same way that Tuttosport propose, with Kyle Walker also slotting in having arrived this month.

The idea is that the penalty area will be heavily occupied by Gimenez, but there is the possibility of Leao and Felix interchanging positions.

If Milan insist with the 4-2-3-1, Felix will be able to act as both the central attacking midfielder – a position that this season has been covered in rotation by Pulisic and Reijnders – and as a winger.

Tags AC Milan Sergio Conceicao

37 Comments

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    1. Right!
      Im also concerned about a 4231 with Leao, Puli, gimenez and Felix. We would Need two very Defensive CM. Maybe it works with Fofana and Bondo against smaller Teams in serie a. But Not in CL.

    2. It could if Fofana drops between defenders and Pavlovic go to LB while we are having the ball. Then Theo and Leao could be a brutal force up top. But it all points that Theo could be sold in summer and we get a cheaper LB that doesnt bomb foward as much and go to traditional 442. With permanent transfer if Felix(if he turns out good) and another ST like Lucca we could be onto something.

    3. Leao is too lazy and heavily frustrating. He has zero ambitions or motivations. For a player of his immense talents and potential, it’s a shame.

    1. Lol who do you think better and cheaper than him?if we can sell him for 100 mil, then which winger worth 100 mil who is better then leao?

      U think vini/mbappe worth only 100 m?

      i dont want to go for some random LW like sottil, okafor etc. Leao should stay, we need his reserve who can compete with him, thats it.

      1. He might actually turn out like a Felix or a James Rodriguez. talented as heck but because of their attitude and “lazyness”, they become luxury players. It’s no coincidence Felix has been in many top clubs but cant stay. Much like James.

    2. To make matters worse he is one dimensional, and each time the team is tries to accommodate him whenever we talk of formation change.

      Honestly We should just cashout and move on.

    3. world class talent, Sunday league bench player attitude. Reminds me of Mario Balotelli. Mario wasnt lazy, he was crazy. hehehe Point is, talent alone wont get you there.

    1. It’s a front 4 in-match buddy.

      Only Fofana and whoever is paired with stay in the midfield, that’s why we often get overrun in midfield.

      As funny as it may sound, Bondo and Fofana together may just be ideal to give the front 4 enough liberty to attack. Ironically, it may mean Reijnders sitting on the bench, which I really don’t mind. He’s no AM and not a physical CM.

  1. Whats the profile of Gimenez, could he potentially, if and when needed, shift back if leao goes on runs to attack in the 4-4-2? I cant imagine that, hes a 9. I feel like gimenez and felix were brought in to support the attack and be the attack and ask leao to pass it for goal. Im worried in the 4-4-2 leao wont defend and will just go up to attck. Then that would mean tijiani or fofana will hve to cover leaos space

  2. 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 are just numbers. The important thing is how the players move on the field. Lots of top teams play a 4-2-3-1 on paper, but the offensive midfielder presses lika a forward in the defensive phase making it a 4-4-2.

    Look at Liverpool or Arsenal for example. Both Szoboszlai and Ödegaard press high alongside the lone attacker in a 4-4-2. Bellingham do the same in Real Madrids 4-3-3.

    Conceicao wants a second striker/offensive midfielder both with the offensive skills, and the workrate to press hard, which Felix have (he showed that in Atletico Madrid). Thats why he specifically requested him.

    The only other player we have for that position that fits Conceicaos requirements is R-L-C. Im pretty sure once R-L-C is fit he will replace Felix later in the games in that position. Musah and Bondo will fill in for Reijnders and Fofana as the two CMs.

    1. You are very right. people dont think outside the box.

      This is more of a 4 2 4 in transition than 4 4 2 and can also be 4 1 3 2 with Fofana holding midfield while Tijani push forward while Milan is attacking to crowd the opponent box 18 .

    2. That’s what I thought we were doing against Inter for a brief moment before realizing it was a 4-4-2. 4-2-4 is just 4-4-2 with the wingers pushed up, so I’m sure it will be both, depending on whether we have the ball or not.

  3. Yes Acmilan have solid signings but I’m concerned we need to remain in our 4-2-3-1 line up playing Felix as our attacking midfield then chukwueze will play wing but Fofana needs more improvement in time of releasing short ability.

  4. 4-4-2 with pulisic and especially leao on Rm and Lm is actually a 4-2-4 and therefore very risky with our poor defending… on the other hand, since we know we cant defend, it might actually be good to go full attacking mode and put much pressure upfield

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