PM: Change in formation for Milan cannot be excluded – 3-5-2 among three solutions

AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli could try three alternative formations in order to fix the defects that have appeared in recent weeks. 

Speaking to reporters after the 3-0 derby defeat against Inter on Sunday, the Milan head coach was asked: “Could Milan review its formation given the difficulties that have occurred in the last period?”

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Pioli replied as follows: “We’ll see, everything is possible. From tomorrow we will make our assessments thinking about the best for the team.”

According to PianetaMilan, Pioli could indeed look at potentially changing his system, with three obvious candidates.

3-5-2: A three-man defence made up of Tomori, Kjaer and Romagnoli (without discarding the possibility of playing Kalulu) could very much work, with Theo Hernandez functioning as a wing-back and Saelemaekers (or Calabria/Castillejo) on the other side, Kessie, Tonali and Calhanoglu would be in the middle of the field with the Turk having more offensive than defensive tasks. Ibrahimovic would be joined in turn by Rebic, Leao or Mandzukic.

4-4-2: Pioli could go back to early 2020 when he played a 4-4-2 for a few games after Ibrahimovic’s arrival. In this sense, the idea of having wide midfielders would in theory exclude Calhanoglu, unless he was used close to Ibra as a second striker.

4-3-1-2: Finally, a throwback to another Milan formational of old. This would see another mezzala come into the midfield, and would also mean one of Rebic or Leao is benched, but above all also Saelemaekers who is not in great form.