SM: Pioli planning changes for the derby – new system and new role for Brahim Diaz

By Oliver Fisher -

AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli is likely to make some changes to his starting line-up for the derby against Inter on Sunday given the horrific run of recent form.

According to the information we have through our colleagues at SempreMilan.it, Pioli already has a clear tactical change in mind ahead of the game against Inter and that is to alter the system to a 4-3-3, to offer more solidity in the midfield.

Ismael Bennacer will return to the starting line-up alongside Sandro Tonali and they should be accompanied by either Tommaso Pobega or Rade Krunic for the game against the Nerazzurri, but that won’t be the only change.

In fact, Pioli is thinking of involving Simon Kjaer again in the centre of the defence while the idea of ​​deploying Brahim Diaz as a right winger in a trident alongside Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao is gaining momentum too.

Tags AC Milan

27 Comments

  1. Madness. Diaz again.
    Poli needs a new pair of glasses.
    Milan needs to protect our back line.
    To get 1 more is a win now. 4321 will be a better choice. Drop Diaz who is a real Madrid player to the bench. Give our other Milan owned players a chance to gel with first team.

        1. Origi as a lone CF is doomed to fail. He would be everywhere but where the CF is supposed to be (in the penalty box). He’s far better off on the wing or as a 2nd striker but him playing alone in the center? Doomed. DOOOOOMED!

        2. I concur @Yomi babs, Divock Origi should start ahead of Giroud.
          What’s wrong with Lazetic and Adli???
          Why has Pioli decided not to field them at all???

    1. How many times have we seen Leao play inside and be ineffective? So if we’re going to be Leao fangirls then we have no choice but to play a system using wide attackers. If we’re going to give primacy to the system, that is, be able to play 4-3-2-1 or 3-5-2/3-4-1-2 then…we have to bench (and eventually sell) Leao. What’s it going to be?

  2. Perhaps a midfield of
    Bennacer Tonali Salamakers
    (Alexis has the workrate for the position, also he has enough skills to do well there or at RB, hes just not a winger)
    Otherwise vranckx be a better shout than krunic or Pobega.

    Also i think front 3 of Leao Giroud Rebic
    (or perhaps even drop Giroud)
    We need legs and workrate in the team

  3. I’d try a 4-3-2-1, Vasquez/sack of potatoes, Theo, Tomori, Thiaw, Kalulu, Tonali, Bennacer, Krunic, Leao, CDK, Origi/Giroud.

    Keep more narrow, tell Tonali to stay in midfield and keep things simple, press situationally and expect the counter attack.
    Tomori will have to be less aggressive and really improve his mentality with defensive because Lautaro has his fing number.

  4. Calabria should not come anywhere near the pitch. I would say bench Tonali as well, but sadly our backups are probably even worse.
    Milan should sit deep and play a counter attack game vs Inter. Kjaer and hopefully Tomori in the center and put Kalulu at RB. Stay compact, lose the high line the has been getting exposed, and try to hit them on the quick counter. Milan is too poor of a passing team to play possession anyways. Maybe even Rebic at CF for the speed.
    However, I doubt Pioli will really change anything. He may change the formation, but tactics will be the same.

    1. ” I would say bench Tonali as well, but sadly our backups are probably even worse.”

      In general yes. But at the moment Tonali is in such a bad shape he shouldn’t be allowed on the pitch either. All he does is mistakes, bad passes and wrong decisions. ATM even Bakayoko would give more guarantees.

      1. I still don’t understand why Bakayoko can’t get on the pitch. He’s not great but considering our options I don’t think he is any worse. He was never really given much of a chance here.

  5. We need someone extra in midfield with physical presence, Kessie was a big loss and I did see an understanding between CDK and Sale in the 1st half, so wouldn’t change those two

  6. Play 3-5-2 (Kaejer/Tomri/Kalulu) in defenes
    -Theo/Calabria/Bennacer+ Tonnali/De K /Pogeba Midfield
    – Origi/Rebic or Giroud/Origi
    – Calabria can drop in defense in case with Tonali as cover and Pogeba push forward with De K
    2nd half, pull pogeba+ Origi and push Leao and Dest/Sale or Krunic

    No more that gizmo Diaz pls

    1. Lol, where are all the Leao absolutists now? Not starting? Playing narrow where he’s ineffective? Are we selling him now?

  7. And the GK post still the robot Tatarusanu, Hahaha…
    I guess the inter midfield more stronger, we must play krunic / Vrancx beside ismael & tonali. The forward left leao, giroud and CdK. RB post please put Kalulu.

    Please, please, please mister #PioliUnderFire no more Diaz

  8. Suggest a big massive catenaccio on sunday ….. only aim to prevent inter from even one single shot at goal because for sure it will go past tatarusanu and he will not even notice ….

  9. Olivier Giroud is the man to start up front against inter ..He is a real centre forward ,who is extremely intelligent and aware of players around him ..if he gets decent service ,he will score goals .
    I would love Origi to play wide up front alongside Olivier ..Origi is not a centre forward..
    But the formation above in the main is worth trying..

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