Throughout this season, AC Milan have flirted with the idea of a return to a 4-3-3 system, but Massimiliano Allegri has not bitten the bullet just yet.
When Allegri first arrived, it seemed that Milan were going to be set up as a team that played in a 4-3-3, but things quickly changed. Indeed, after the loss to Cremonese, the Rossoneri moved to a back five, and it stuck.
Given the run that they went on, there was no reason to change, but as results deteriorated – and continue to – the thoughts about a switch are ever-present, and Allegri could well make the change heading into next season.
A signing for the system?
The switch is partnered with rumours about the future of Rafael Leao, with the latest suggestions involving how he would be replaced. This season, he has played primarily as a striker in a front two, even if it is not his natural position.
So, if he were to be sold, would a striker arrive, or another winger. Perhaps, even, they could be a hybrid between the two roles.
However, Gazzetta dello Sport’s take this afternoon is that the eyed replacement of the moment – Antonio Nusa – would see Milan move back to a system with defined wingers.
The Norwegian, who idolises Neymar, is a ‘pure winger’, like Leao ‘before Allegri arrived’. Someone who prefers to play on the wing and create excitement there, rather than a pure finisher. Of course, Leao’s sale could also unlock a proper striker for the Italian to utilise, which could help aid a switch to a different system.
Signing Nusa to play him centrally would not make a lot of sense, the report suggests, so a move would insinuate that a switch would happen. However, it is not to say that Leao could not return to the wing in the summer, if the appropriate profile were to arrive to help facilitate the switch.
Why not sign diomand from RB liepzig
Diomande is getting linked with 70+ Euro moves to top Premier League teams like Liverpool and Man U. Safe to say we wouldn’t even be in the race.
We seemed to overlook an important aspect about all coaches…they all have a system and style of play and would ideally want the type of players that fit that system. It is nothing new for Allegri to insist on his philosophy of play (rightly or wrongly). With that in mind Leoa will either have to adapt or get shipped off. The flip side is Allegri walking away saying the team did not support him by not giving him the players that he wanted. Either way the finger is going to point in the opposite direction…if Milan has a poor run in Allegri will blame the players not fitting his system or an unsupportive management, if he has a strong finish he will say I was right to stick to my philosophy…either way there will be a story to tell at the end of the season. Which brings me to my point-Allegri has done a wonderful job with a poorly constructed team ( a few players come to mind that do not make the cut) and there will be casualties (chances are Leao will be sacrificed to make room for someone that the coach views as a better fit) or we put up and live with what he offers currently (unhappy and ineffective as a 2nd striker). Either way we will have to accept that coaches want to succeed or fail on their own terms, if not they put the blame at management’s door. We had a season to forget with Fonse and Conce and if Allegri insist on playing Rafa as a 2nd striker then and only then we can hold him accountable if he fails us. Right now the numbers are there and he is way too clever to change things around to suit 1 player. Ultimately it’s about the team and as fans we hope to watch Tuesday and Wednesday matches again next season. Forza Milan.
IF (and that’s a big IF) Leão is sold this summer and Allegri stays as our head coach, then we won’t need a winger to replace him. We will need a player who can play in a front 2 in a 3-5-2 system.
Pulisic would play LW his correct position and produce unbelievably !!!
Brilliant strategy. Let’s sell our winger to bring in another winger to play a winger based system….
🤯
The very definition of insanity- Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Sort of like ACM now.
Leao doesn’t defend unlike 99% of wingers out there. Bringing in someone who will participate in that phase of the game would give Allegri options. Now he’s “forced” to play Leao as a striker because for Allegri defense is everything and having Leao strolling on the wing would mean jeopardizing the defense.
It’s not rocket-science.
Well it definitely is rocket science for you when you need to make up s**t. So Allegri that doesn’t play with wingers was forced to play without wingers because of Leao? Let’s repeat, a manager that doesn’t really use wingers in his formations and plays 3-5-2 changed to 3-5-2 because Leao doesn’t defend? 😭😭🤣🤣😭😭
“So Allegri that doesn’t play with wingers ”
Claims like above reveal how clueless you are. Not worth wasting my time (anymore).
LOL many replies along the same lines. Let’s play 3-5-2 and use our best winger out of position, sell him, then change the formation to need a winger. What’s next? buy a SS and put him as a winger?
Leao always had a problem tracking back and work rate. Its just that as a winger he is more productive than a striker. As a winger he would be expected to track back even more. Talent has always been there but the work rate has been a problem always. Other than the MVP season he never really burst into the scene. A bit Ronaldinho type player and not CR who works not ‘that’ hard but relies on his talent more. Talent can take you to the Base Camp of Everest which is a big achievement but hard work can take you to the pinnacle of Everest which is extreme.
Leao being unproductive for a period is partly for an issue that all players face, the real problem is the attitude and lack of effort in helping once be isn’t on the ball, and also considering he isn’t that geat on the ball mostly.
So, while the issue of been productive and system adaptation is been debated on, the main issue of attitude and workrate is overlooked and that is the main problem. You are not Messi, your end product isn’t all that, you loose balls and don’t trackback, your team is suffering and you are standing with hands on your waist most times, these are excesses. And it’s the reason the management wants to move him on.
What? Management wants to move him by offering him a contract extension? You’re delusional. If you think something it doesn’t mean the management wants to sell him?
“Management wants to move him by offering him a contract extension?”
One word: Reijnders. Not that YOU would understand this either.
Oh yes Leao is talented but his attitude is the issue. Look at the instant reaction on other players when they loose possession of the ball and compare to Leao. What you do to help the team off the ball is very important. Leao thinks he is better than his team mates and I believe that mentality is hurting the team. I guess Pavlovic will even do better as a center forward than Leao. Until he humbles himself and support the team, I hate to say this but his music career will fit him better than a soccer player
Why not JP Hauge then? Cheap. Scored against us too which seems to be one of the criterias these days. 🙂
As as milan fan for 25years, I don’t really comment here.
1. Allegri 3-5-2 system will not take Milan anywhere in football tournament and is affecting a lot of the players, most of them are not productive, because Allegri lack creativity and that’s why is a defensive minded coach; he had the same approach with Juventus on his 2nd return, everything was really bad which get him sacked. With these same 3-5-2 Milan were defensive against smaller team, outplayed and fighting to score to have a draw or last time win.
2. Every player have different character to football game and not all players can be converted to other positions because they have the ability to run or so like Allegri thinks.
Someone like Leao and Pulisic can never be a front striker; they are natural pure winger and playing in their natural position make them a threat to the opposite clubs. Even CR9 at Juventus when Allegri converted him as a striker he’s goal number dropped and the system affect the whole team which end him sacked.
3. No great team in European competition plays with 3-5-2 approach and have great success; see how Inter Milan was badly beating exposed during last season Champions League Final against PSG even with there natural pure strikers.
4. The best formation for this team is 4-3-3 and give the players to play there natural position.
Look at players like Michael Olise, Luis Diaz, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are threat to opponents and they are never converted to striker.
5. If Milan sell both Leao and Pulisic to please Allegri system, will be a bad idea. Understand something, a coach can be sacked within 24hours, but selling a good player and looking for replacement might be tough.
Lastly, Allegri don’t know any other creative approach system for the team.
Fabio Capello and other coaches, recently Shevchenko said Leao/Pulisic can’t play as a striker but a winger.
How many times as Milan been a threat to the opponent this season with Allegri system?
Bring back leao to the left winger like pioli did. He will exploded. And remember, when leao on the left winger he had great pairing with world class left back ( Theo Hernandez ). Even estupinan cant even more close to him. That’s why leao it’s like lazy and stagnan this season. Allegri should try 3-4-3 / 3-4-2-1 formations to pull out the useless ( estupinan & fofana ).
Leao is a natural pure winger. Just don’t force what is not working.
I believe 4-3-3 formation will suits the players best with more creativity from the midfield as well.
Only Allegri thinks Leao& Pulisic can play as a striker and score many goals.
Fofana & Ricci play advance midfielder role which cost Fofana missing world cup squad.
The like of Jashari can play better than Ricci & Fofana in advance midfield role, he did at his previous club. Ricci is pure defensive midfielder.
Allegri only believe in physical defense mind football not a creative entertainment ones.
Look how Beyern, Barcelona & PSG plays good football. You will be happy watching there matches rather watching Milan boring and struggling to beat or draw bottom teams in Series A.
Everyone can see that Series A clubs are declining in European competition, because there style of playing or formation is outdated and can’t compete with other European clubs with high pressure football.
Old Milan winning team/coach don’t sit back defending but play good creative football and don’t force players to play out of positions.
Exactly.
So much negativity in here, things that need to be fixed… if someone found Leao with a through ball and he finished it last game then the conversation would be so different.
He’s a good player to have available to us, being played out of position out of necessity. It’s not Leao’s fault or Allegri’s fault.
We’re doing way better than last season, scoring similar numbers but with way better defence. Can we do better, sure, but are we overreacting much after a defeat where we had a poor half and a good half but couldn’t finish? Also yes.
“It’s not Leao’s fault or Allegri’s fault. ”
Well… Leao wouldn’t have to play out of position if he defended as the LW. Allegri who loves defense, can’t have a winger who only participates in the attacking phase.
I think Allegri should be given the type of players he request, as for Rafa, that guy is too lazy for everything.why can’t he change is pattern of play, marking is zero, I can sense it why pulisic refuse to give him those pass, watch the way he play in that match, he addly mark, he can’t hold on ball, and when he has the opportunity to score he plays what I called beautiful nonsense, I think the guy should be sold,watch the guy that plays the same wing with him in the Portugal squared, the likes of Pedro Neto, he can mark and addly lose the ball even when he do he doesn’t laugh unlike Rafa, check yilzd at juv, look at concersao
Leao it’s pure winger and allegri have no idea to change another formation. He’s like Sarri Lazio who only have one system 😂😂.
Wake up bro , football already change. You have to got plan A to Z about formations..
Yes, he have no idea to change to creative football same as Sarri and Conte.
Why did Inzaghi leave Inter and move to Saudi league. With the same system Inter was dismantle beat disagree in the final 5-0.
Football approach has changed a lot.
Confused club
Leao its pure winger