AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli is not at risk of losing his job despite seemingly becoming quite tactically confused, a report claims.
MilanNews write how Pioli’s choices in last night’s derby caused a lot of discussion, in particular the exclusion of Rafael Leao from the starting eleven and the inclusion of Junior Messias in the midfield three as a mezzala.
It started with the change in formation, with Pioli going from his usual 4-2-3-1 to a 3-5-2 which matched up Inter. Behind this decision was above all the desire to field a more solid and compact team to concede fewer goals having let in 14 in the previous four games.
However, the end result of that experiment is that Milan did not trouble Onana with a shot on target and conceded a header from a corner. In the second half things were better, especially after the introductions of Brahim Diaz and Rafael Leao, which brings us to the next point.
In the most difficult moment of his tenure so far, Pioli chose to exclude Leao from his starting line-up for a second game in a row. This didn’t make much sense because the 3-5-2 was chosen to remain closed and compact and then try to hit Inter on the counter, which could have made Leao very useless.
Even the choice to play Messias as a midfielder did not convince at all. The Brazilian had already covered that role with Crotone, but it is one thing to do it for them and another for Milan in a derby against a top side.
Pioli was perhaps right to change system, but to completely abandon the principles of his style – one that saw virtually the same team win the Scudetto – means that he has ended up under scrutiny.
However, Pioli’s future is not in discussion at the moment because the leadership remain convinced that he is the right man to bring Milan out of the crisis, but it is obvious that if positive results do not arrive in the next few games, the thoughts of Maldini and Massara could also change.
“This didn’t make much sense because the 3-5-2 was chosen to remain closed and compact and then try to hit Inter on the counter, which could have made Leao very useless.”
Much sense? Pioli opted to put “all in” on not conceding goals. He wasn’t trying to win but only avoid losing. Is Leao known for his defensive efforts? Be honest. 🙂