Pietro Mazzara believes that Massimiliano Allegri must consider a change in formation to get more out of the current squad.
As always seems to be the case after a negative result, the debate has reignited about whether Allegri’s 3-5-2 system is a sustainable one in terms of getting the best out of the players, above all Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao.
Both the American and the Portuguese didn’t seem like their usual selves in the defeat to Lazio last night, and the reaction of the latter after coming off has generated headlines.
He was frustrated because Pulisic didn’t try to find a couple of his runs with through balls, showing the chemistry isn’t there yet in terms of the pair operating as a front two.
Mazzara published his weekly column for MilanNews in which he offered some considerations on the defeat in the capital, and whether Allegri should tweak things a bit tactically.
“And this is also the result of the 3-5-2 formation, which features Pulisic and Leao as its two main attackers. The match at the Olimpico is the clearest snapshot there is of how these two players aren’t comfortable with this system and that, arguably, it’s gone beyond what’s technically tolerable.
“In fact, Rafa and Chris have changed their nature compared to their careers and they did so with a great spirit of sacrifice that, along with the entire team, led Milan to second place.
“But to reach the Champions League, you need to win games, and it’s no coincidence that with the switch to a 4-3-3 (which perhaps would have forced Saelemaekers, whose performances had declined, to sit out) the team not only produced more offensively, but it seemed that almost all the players felt more comfortable.
“Rumour has it that Allegri didn’t want to return to the formation he identified at the start of the season and then changed to 3-5-2 because he wouldn’t trust some of his defenders to play one-on-one in open play.
“However, at the same time, the attacking potential of Leao and Pulisic is being lost. The more you pull the cover, the more you uncover something. It’s a matter of whether it’s better to have your feet or your head uncovered.”
OK nice article but I wanted to mention something about Leao. Everyone says he’s not a striker and that he can only play on the wings but lots of times we’ve seen him get the ball on the wing and he just wouldn’t take his man on. I don’t know if it’s just me but the guy looks different from the Leao we’ve always known. I’m trying to remember the guys name who outran Leao in the derby. I was shocked cuz the Leao we know should be leaving that guy in the dust. I don’t know if it’s a lack of desire but as a leader of this team, he should come and demand the ball and make things happen, not stand behind defenders hoping that the ball would magically get to him. There’s 9 games to go and I still believe he can prove to us why he’s referred to as the star of the team.
As for the Fullkrug guy, he should be a perfect fit for this team technically but somehow things aren’t working. I liked his holdup play in the start and thought €5m was a steal but boy! It’s a sheeatt show now. We should try for Lewandowski maybe, or maybe even recall our boy Camarda cuz I don’t see any difference with these strikers. I think it’s more a style of play problem than a personnel problem.
Please tell him. He should change the formation. 352 is not working anymore. Milan are more comfortable & fluid when NOT playing 352. Like yesterday, it was Allegri that makes us to lose the match
I’d love to see Milan become more attacking. We all want 433, 4231 ect. But it’s very very unlikely to happen unfortunately. We have great wingers, and it’s just a shame to see them all play as a CF. It’s actually quite funny to think that Theo H. would be the one getting those extra goals we need. Allowing Rafa and Pulisic more space to tap in those long range shots.
Going forward, let’s see what allegri decides to do on Saturday. We may all be surprised to see 4231?!
Time to look at Napoli behind us, rather than Inter ahead, although Inter have 3 very hard games! They’re definitely going to lose and draw, so we could be closer in a few weeks time!
Forza Milan.
#bring back Tonali. 😂
Personally I’d love to see CP11 move to Napoli next season.
we have been saying this all season. Corto muso is fine for certain games, the inability to adapt has cost us the scudetto imo
It became intolerable after the Leeds pre season game
alegri îs GARBAGE always has been the minute seria A returned to form never won anything in years.
3-4-3 Or 3-4-2-1
You guys are skipping the most part important part:Allegri does not TRUST any of his defenders. You guys surely remember why maldini went for Tomori? Because Romagnoli was slow and could not keep a high line that Pioli loved. Well, Kalulu got sold and Tomori’s performances dropped. He was constantly screaming at others for his own faults.
We started conceding corners, so Pavlovic and Koni were drafted. We needed experience, but TS 33 was overlooked. Theo & leao had everyone do their defensive work for them.but they would not lift a toe to help others. Theo got sold and Estupinian was his replacement.
Jimenez was sold because he deemed himself equal to cafu and no one bought him from the top 5 clubs in any country.
What would you have allegri do? Play to suit leao and end up like the previous 3 coaches? Or defend like a pack of wolves, where there is safety in numbers?
Leao was not and never will be a modern striker expected to track back. He is a traffic cone without the ball and a Ferrari with it. This season he’s been running with a flat tyre. Hos fans can check the stats, he has been in decline since the scudetto years. It’s there for all to see. No more trade mark runs, no beating the first man, no runs to flank or scoring from maignan’s long kick.
He can throw tantrums for all I care, the stats say that pulisic has had better goal contributions for the last three years.
Milan is not Leao. Enough said.
For the last couple of seasons we mostly played 4231 because our forwards suited thus formation. Despite not having the right midfield players for the two double pivot roles.
In the off season we finally recruit some solid defensive/register mids. That could have strengthened the 4231 nicely.
But we switch to 352 with no strikers that suit this and arguably only one Wing Back who suits this in Saelemaekers. He’s not been great lately.
Bartesaghi has been above expectation on the other flank.
Formation is not the problem. It’s the tactical approach to every game. It has no urgency or seriousness in depth. Winning balls and taking the fight to the opponents is not Allegri’s Milan