For the majority of his time as AC Milan manager, Massimiliano Allegri has played a 3-5-2. However, he could revert to a 4-3-3.
In his first game, Allegri tried a 4-3-3 formation, and it didn’t work. So, that was the end of that. Milan moved to a 3-5-2, and it has stuck ever since, thanks to the fantastic run of performances that the system has provided.
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However, it can now be questioned, with results slipping. In fact, some innovation may be required, as the Rossoneri hope to confirm their place in the top four, rather than sticking to a fading idea.
Allegri’s shift
This weekend, as Calciomercato.com writes, Allegri trialled a back four again, considering it as an approach against sides who set up in a low block. In fact, it seems that the idea will continue to be explored in the weeks to come.
The move would allow Alexis Saelemaekers a break, and without an alternative, he has not been able to have one. So, the move to a four could aid this problem if nothing else.
However, it could also give some space to Christopher Nkunku and Niclas Fullkrug, who both may be better in the centre of a three-man attack, albeit for different reasons.
Whether it will become the go-to is something else entirely, but for now, it seems like it may be an increasingly used option.
I think 3-4-2-1 would make more sense vs lower level teams.
these 4 behind striker: Rabiot, Pulisic, Nkunku, Quentin Timber? (RLC upgrade); the rest 5 of midfielders in double-pivot.
Leao/Fulkrug/Gimenez as ST.
3421 doesn’t make sense because with Bart and Alexis on the wings, that leaves only Modric and Rabiot to clean up the midfield. luca is not a disruptor in the defensive phase and Rabiot can only do so much. Leao/Fulkrug/Puli can track back but won’t help defend much.
4-3-3 is the only other alternative. It is a formation this team has played in before and succeeded. With Fulkrug can play a similar role like Giroud because he is good at holding the ball with his back to the net.
Can unleash Leao/Pulisic/Nkunku if they attack space.
I don’t believe this for a second. I think for Allegri it’s all going according to plan. Still in the top 4, enough chances to score. Which I think is a huge accomplishment, because looking at the squad, we are nowhere near the level of Inter, Roma, Juventus and Napoli. The main frustration comes from the fact that his style of play is ugly and exhausting to watch (apart from the +- 20 minutes per game when we go full throttle). So when we win, that’s okay, but when we don’t win, everyone is irritated. But at the end of the day, this squad (apart from Modric and Saele) is still the same DS squad that finished 8th last year. I think Allegri is doing all he can with limited means (especially considering all injuries early on)
Thank you, you have sparked my belief in milans fans again. Finally someone with good inteligent opinion, not led by emotions
3-3-1-3: Tomori-Gabbia-Pavlović
Saelmaekers-Rabiot-Bartesaghi
Modrić
Pulisić-Fulkrug- Leao
A great idea – but we certo do not have a squad built for this (are we talking about Athekame as the RB then? And if it would be Fik, then there’s literally no room for injuries & suspensions across the entire back line, save for LB).
Surely a 4-3-3 would require 4 new signings so that backups were present (CB, LB, LW, RW).
Nice idea, but at present only 2 signings would be required in a 3-5-2 (backup RB, and a CB – at the minimum).
Personally, I think the board will not buy anyone in the winter mercato, and then complain if We slide out of the top 4 come May.
I’d be happy with 4th minimum this season – just being realistic.
The success or failure of the 4-3-3 will rely heavily on:
– Saelemakers being or not a good right back. He was good as a right wingback with us and with Roma last season, but he is relatively untested as a right back. He is very offensive minded despite his defensive contributions so we should be mindful of that.
– The 2 starters of Pavlović, Gabbia, De Winter and Tomori. They did overall well playing in a 3 men defense very well shielded by the midfield and the wingbacks in a very defensive mindset and a low block, but I wonder if that success will continue if there is only 2 of them.
– While Leão is definetly way better on the left, I wonder if his current injuries and fitness issue will affect his ability to dribble, accelerate and change direction (which if it does will make him useless as a left winger).
Don’t forget the DM is critical in that formation but I do see either Modric or Rabiot doing well in that role . Otherwise it’s Krunic 2.0 all over again (no offense to Krunic)
It will definitely be Modric as the “DM”. He hasn’t the legs to be all box to box role on the outside, and in the middle he can also act as the regista in possession. He is so underrated defensively, but he’s been so good intercepting balls and tackling. This is what it’s like to have a Ballon d’Or winner, even at 40.
I think the midfield structure will remain the same with Modrić as a deep-lying playmaker shielded by Fofana and Rabiot.
This type of structure can work in a 4 men defense and was used by Ancelotti with Pirlo being in front of the defense with Ambrosini and Gattuso shielding him. Now of course the quality of the players was much much higher then.
Pirlo wasn’t 40.
Pirlo had Gattuso and Seedorf next to him, and Nesta- Maldini behind him.
The Saelemaekers issue is real. If he doesn’t show defensive solidity it could be solved by playing Tomori as RB and then using Salad as a backup RW for Pulisic. He could even start at RW sometimes, with Pulisic at LW and Leao as the striker, which would essentially mean the formation could switch back to 3-5-2 mid-game if necessary. If Leao isn’t fit Fullkrug starts, Puli on the left and Salad on the right, same flexibility as above. Nkunku is in the mix too.
The issue is definelty real.
I didn’t like Tomori last season when he was used as a right back against Dinamo Zagreb, he looked horrible. But then again it might be just a Conceição thing and the experience is worth attempting again.
Also we managed to keep Saelemakers because Allegri guaranteed him a starting position. If he becomes a bench player, he might throw a tamper tantrum once again like in 2023.
Okay but we don’t have to play 433 all the time. From my perspective, it makes more sense to shift to a 433 in matches against smaller opponents where at the same time we can give Saelemakers some well-needed rest from time to time (he could even be subbed in in the 70th minute or so). Athemake is a natural right back. Anyone who says he hasn’t showed anything this season – that’s just not true. I’m actually surprised Allegri didn’t opt for this against either Genoa or Fiorentina, because Saelemakers looked exhausted. For me this only goes to show that Allegri will never change that 352. We’re just gonna have to accept that
And watch ugly anti-football for the rest for the season and pray we finish 4th, which seems almost impossible given Juve’s current form.
Didn’t we already see 4-2-3-1 last season with all the empty spaces between midfield and defence? With Leao NOT being effective many times when he actually plays at his preferred position? We have 40-year old Modric as a DM, assigning him more ground to cover in 4-2-3-1 wouldn’t exactly benefit our off-the-ball movement. Is Rabiot even ready to play in a two-man midfield? Are we going to bench him (our most consistent player), so that Fofana could play and use Pulisic as AM behind the striker? None of this sounds like a good idea. You can argue 4-3-3 is a more fitting system, but some of these problems on paper should be visible there too.
I don’t think a 4-2-3-1 will be attempted as we don’t have a proper attacking midfielder.
If the 4-3-3 is to be used I think Modrić will remain the deepest midfielder with Fofana and Rabiot in front of him.
Now it does have issues as I’ve highlighted above.
The 4-3-3 has the exact same midfield combination as 3-5-2, which is why Allegri couid make the switch to this formation.
Good idea
352 against string teams.
433 against low block.
Good idea
leao mora igrat ljevo krilo krilo, filkrug centarfor ili gimenez,a pulišić ili nkuku desno !! iza njih rabio modrić i salemakers ili ruben lot chr. a straga obrana o 4 jaka igraća !! bartesagli, pavlović, gabija i tomori ovo bi bila ofanzivnija postava za zatvorene momćadi !!! Tu Milan mora bit prisutniji u protivničkom šesnaestercu. gledam ove dvije zadnje utakmice PA TAMO NEMA NIKOGA !!!! Leao i fulkrug između 8-9 protivničkih igraća UŽAS naravno ne mogu ništa !!!!
No for Allegri a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 but in a 4-2-3-1 the line up will be.
M.maignan
Athkame, Gabbia,Pavlovic,batasaghi
Fofana,Ricci
Saelamakers,pulisic,leao
Fullkrug
This is the sign – Milan failing.
When they change what they’ve done, and talk about formation..
Second half of the season is shinninng! hahaha 😀
change change channge
change change
change
Is this what the clothing store Milan does? loll 🙂
“fantastic run of performances” just isn’t true. We’ve had one really good performance all season, away to Udinese. I’ve known this team would be unwatchable since we played 9 men behind the ball against Leeds in pre season.