Stefano Pioli decided to switch to a 4-4-2 formation for AC Milan’s clash against Udinese last night. A game that the Rossoneri ended up losing 1-0 after a very poor display, seemingly hindered by the change as highlighted by Andrea Longoni.
The change of formation came as a surprise to most, with Olivier Giroud and Luke Jovic starting up front. It’s true that both Samuel Chukwueze and Christian Pulisic were unavailable, but Luka Romero could have played to the right in the attacking trio.
In his latest editorial for MilanNews, Andrea Longoni questioned the decision of Pioli to switch formations at a time when Milan needed certainty. In hindsight, it’s clear that the decision didn’t favour the Rossoneri at all.
“Third defeat in the last four games, the first win of the season given to a disastrous Udinese at home. Six points from the top, with the gap increased in a round that on paper should have been favourable. A Milan that was desolate to say the least: the team has entered a tunnel and today it’s completely dark.
“The change of formation, at a time when the team needed certainty, seems to have created confusion and disoriented the players. There was no need for it. For a good part of the match, we didn’t see a shred of play, other than the usual pattern: ball to Leao and then we’ll see. Among other things, the Portuguese is often reduced to being a crosser.
“A very poor Milan, which overshadows a non-existent penalty. The team seems discouraged, they no longer seem to have total faith in Pioli’s tactical requests. There’s a problem. This year too, a moment of black crisis has arrived: it’s not normal, especially for the big teams.
“Serious and profound reflections are urgently needed. The feeling (perhaps not just from today) is that the coaching cycle, understood as the ability to impact the team, has come to an end,” he writes.
Milan will face PSG next and considering that the reverse fixture ended 3-0 in favour of the French side, it will be a very tough clash. The Rossoneri have a mountain to climb and especially Pioli, who needs to prove the doubters wrong.
Pioli rocks the boat at least once a season, then he steadies it himself. He’ll take us through to the summer. Hopefully Top4. But we do need to crash out of Europe altogether unfortunately.
thats not good enough
Lol, “hopefully top 4”? We had the quality to mount a title challenge and be well on our way to qualifying for the CL knockouts. Pioli is a mid-table manager out of his depth at a club with our traditions and expectations. The lucky scudetto bought him two seasons of grace. It’s over now.
The way things are going, Pioli can’t lead this team to top 4. Scratch that. Last year, Pioli didn’t make top 4. Top 4 came because Juve was penalised. Pioli gave excuse of certain players not being good enough last season. Now, he has the players he wants, but his deficiencies are showing.
After the loss to PSG midweek, let him go and let Bonera take over. If things go right let him continue for the season. If not, get a top coach during the summer.
Ibra is not the solution for the immediate problem. It’s obvious that Cardinale is trying to rectify his gross error of sacking Maldini by bringing back Ibra. But if Ibra is going to babysit Pioli, then there will be problems.
The management decisions at the end of last season concerning major management changes is the real reason we are suffering. Why do you need to change an unbroken team. Instead of adding quality to what is working, it was the other way around.
I don’t know if I follow you here ? Who do you think they should have kept ? and which player did they bring that you think they shouldn’t have ?