Stefano Pioli made the decision to try a three-man defence after a terrible January but then he moved back to the 4-2-3-1, and it seems to be brought back some certainties from the Scudetto win.
MilanNews recall how Pioli has now only gone back to the old formation but he is also recreating the ploy of using Rade Krunic or Ismael Bennacer as the attacking midfielder to disrupt the opponents and give more balance in the central areas, just as he did with Franck Kessie last season.
However, it must also be said that playing Tonali and Krunic deeper like in the games against Napoli and Roma can cause some difficulties when building out from the back, given that the Algerian is a great ball progressor.
Despite this, Bennacer’s skill in pressing and cutting out danger means that he is also very useful in the advanced role as he puts the opposition under pressure and stops them building out as they would like to.
Krunic is certainly more gifted in the physical department and he has also shown his anticipation, while Tonali has become a bit of an all-round midfielder with his work rate and also his surging runs.
Milan have often relied on long balls for Olivier Giroud to try and win, skipping building through the thirds, which has caused problems when Leao and other forwards run off the Frenchman.
Swapping Krunic and Bennacer would probably see Milan play a more flowing style of football given the more technical player would be further back and physicality would be added to the attack, however there is no doubting how effective the configuration was against Napoli over the three games.
Saelemaekers has been good recently, maybe revert back to
Leao – Giroud – Saelemaekers
Brahim
Tonali – Bennacer
I agree with comment from you ..leao – Giroud -saaelemakers – Brahmin .
Tonali – Bennacer ..this is the correct balance which would probably lead to us been 3 or 4 up by halftime ,
then introduce the subs …The fact is we have to win the match .