Theo Hernandez has struggled to perform on a consistent level in recent weeks and many AC Milan fans are wondering what has caused this dip in form. During today’s pre-match press conference, Stefano Pioli spoke about the Frenchman.
Hernandez has made ten appearances for Milan so far this season and he has just one goal to his name. At this point last season, he had one goal and four assists. Point aside, it’s clear that the left-back doesn’t get forward as much as he used to.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference today, ahead of the game against Napoli, Pioli was asked about Hernandez’s point production and why he hasn’t been as decisive lately. The manager attributed this to the Rossoneri’s new style of play.
“In my opinion, we are developing a slightly different attacking phase on the left, so he should be a little less exuberant on the wing. However, he knows that he is very strong and that he has to raise his level.
“I have the clear feeling that on Wednesday, unlike what happened against Chelsea last year, we were close to the highest level. Theo is one of the players who can help us get to that level,” he stated.
Regardless of the reason, Milan need Hernandez in much better form to compete at the top of the league and to qualify for the next round in the Champions League. Hopefully, he will use tomorrow’s game as the starting point.
Theo has this attitude/temperament problem to work on, plus I feel like he’s still bitter from the Maldini sacking and it could be that he is not in good terms with Pioli. Only time could tell.
But with that aside, I think it’s clear that using as an inverted fullback, with him receiving the ball with his back to the opposition, playing as a midfielder which pretty much limits his runs forward and his presence in the wings, is not working very well. Also the fact that no DM is covering him is not working.
Not every team is like City or 2009 Barcelona and I think Pioli should understand that Theo (and Calabria for that matter) are better off as regular fullbacks.
“plus I feel like he’s still bitter from the Maldini sacking and it could be that he is not in good terms with Pioli” you literally read my inner thoughts. I suspected the same buts it’s just a hunch. Lol glad I didn’t write it, prepare for the backlash 🏃🏼♂️haha
Also losing the WC probably had an effect too
I agree with both points. Looks like he’s not happy and the formation isn’t helping his play. Unlike some attacking fullbacks, he’s actually pretty good at defense, especially with attacks coming from the outside but he needs to be in the right role to do so and currently this role is not bringing out his best attributes. It’s a sign that Pioli has lost the plot b/c he is no longer enhancing his players best abilities. He’s putting them in difficulty and asking them to find a way out. You do that early in pre-season or with youngsters but at this point Pioli should be putting Theo in the best position to thrive b/c we need to win as much as possible RIGHT NOW. He’s 26, his style should be totally locked down. The change up didn’t work and I don’t see how that change is helping the rest of the team at the moment, not worth it. If anything, normal Theo bombing up the side or down the middle would enhance Pulisic and the midfield b/c it would cause the opposition to shift and create space. It’s just a mess, and the easy answer is go back to 4321 but we’ll see. If we had a decent deputy to Theo we could try putting him higher up the pitch like Bale at Madrid but Pioli doesn’t seem willing to do that.
About the 4-3-3 vs 4-2-3-1
Honestly, first I was for changing to a 4-3-3 because last year I felt that too much pressure was put on the double pivot + the AM position was very weak and I thought that a 4-3-3 could adress these issues.
Currently it’s VERY clear that a 4-3-3 is not working (at least how pioli is using it) especially for players like Theo, Leao and Calabria, but how do you see a 4-2-3-1 in our current team (especially since we supposedly bought players for a 4-3-3) ?
is it something like this :
Leao – Pulisic – Chuk/Romero
RLC ——– Reijnders/Musah
OR
Leao – Reijnders – Pulisic/Chuk/Romero
RLC/Musah——- Adli
In the former who can replace Pulisic if absent and isn’t Reijnders gonna be put in a bad place ?
And in the second is Reijnders able to play as an AM ?
I’d like to have opinions on this topic
RLC can play AM like Kessie used to do. He has the physicality and it can help pin the opponents back with pressing. Also, he shoots pretty well. So yeah, 4-2-3-1 could be the solution.