News travels quickly these days, which is why it is such a rarity to be a few hours away from kick-off and to have little idea what the starting line-up will be for AC Milan against Frosinone.
According to Sky and MilanNews, the latest update is that Stefano Pioli is not expected to field Primavera centre-back Jan-Carlo Simic from the first minute despite reports over the last couple of days suggesting he would get his full debut.
Instead, they believe that the back four will be formed by Davide Calabria, Fikayo Tomori, Theo Hernandez and Davide Bartesaghi. Theo is down as the left centre-back, with Bartesaghi therefore the left-back, which certainly seems a bit strange on paper.
During his pre-match press conference yesterday, Pioli was asked about the possibility of trying something different to what the media have been reporting, which is using Primavera defender Jan-Carlo Simic.
“We have tried in addition to Simic a few things that you don’t know, there are other solutions. We have the right solutions to be a balanced team tomorrow,” he said.
So what might those solutions be? Here are the possible combinations in defence in addition to the one reported:
Calabria-Tomori-Bartesaghi
We have a hard time believing that Pioli will actually play Theo at centre-back, a position that he has never played for Milan and one which appears to both limit his strengths and expose his weaknesses.
Therefore, there has to be the possibility that Calabria tucks in to form a back three with Tomori in the middle and Bartesaghi on the left. The Primavera defender has played centre-back before and his side allows him to, while Theo and presumably Yunus Musah would then be the wing-backs.
Calabria-Tomori-Bartesaghi-Theo
Similar to the solution above, this is based around the idea that Theo will not play as a central defender but instead keeps the back four with Calabria and the Frenchman as the full-backs and Bartesaghi partnering Tomori.
This would also allow Pioli to use the double pivot or the three-man midfield as he planned, rather than bringing wing-backs into the equation.
Calabria-Simic-Tomori-Theo
It would certainly be a bold call by Pioli to tinker so much with the left side of the defence, even with the injury issues, because Frosinone’s main threat Soule plays on the right.
The Milan boss has the chance to field three of his usual back four in their preferred position and in turn face the away side’s most potent threat in the best way. That would open up a centre-back slot, and there is a natural centre-back ready to play in Simic.
Calabria-Tomori-Theo-Florenzi
Another idea floated is that Theo does play centrally alongside Tomori and that Alessandro Florenzi comes in at left-back. While this seems like a nightmare on the defensive end (Florenzi on his weaker side against Soule), it would help fill some of the attacking void left by Hernandez moving inside.
Again, there are obvious risks with this particular strategy when it comes to the non-possession phase, though it would guarantee Pioli some experience out there in key roles.
Hahah
Massara: Paulo, when are you going to spill the beans? It’s been 6 months since they canned you.
Maldini: They’re flying right now. I’m waiting for the perfect moment.
Massara: Milan just lost 5-1 to Inter. Now?
Maldini: I’m holding.
Massara: They just fcked up against Udinese? Do it!
Maldini: Steady.
Massara: They just got kicked out the Champions League, have to reshuffle their defense because all their center backs are out, and Calabria looks shakier than Maguire after 6 beers.
Maldini: Let’s roll.
This comment! 😂😂😂😂😂😂👌
LMAOOO, this is gold.
Weird that you don’t know how to write correctly the first name of the greatest Rossonero ever.
The rest is funny. As someone said in the comments, executives have confidentiality clause in their contract, and it probably expired recently for PaOlo.
lol, yeah at first I was like whose Paulo
HAHAHAH 🤣
Quality…🤣🤣🤣
Calabria, tomori, Bartasaghi, Hernandez
4-2-3-1