The news about Massimiliano Allegri’s potential return to AC Milan is gathering more and more momentum, and there already ideas about how his team might look.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) reports, there are plenty of reasons why Allegri ticks the boxes of what Milan are looking for. He is Italian, he knows the league well, he has been at the club before and he is a winner with a desire for revenge.
If he were to return to Milan 11 years after leaving, the foundation of his tactical blueprint would remain defensive solidity and counter-attacks. For Allegri, results count above all and the Milan fans think like him: the priority is to return to the top, there will be time for the show after.
The defence
Allegri focuses on the physicality of his central defenders, which then makes them decisive in the organisation of his structure. The trio of Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini show this, as do Danilo and Gatti from his more recent spell.
If the best form of attack is the defence, who could be the new ‘bombers’ of the Rossoneri rearguard? Strahinja Pavlovic could finally be considered a defensive pillar, because of his strength and aggression, after a first season of bedding in.
It could also change the fate of Malick Thiaw who is good with the ball at his feet and can therefore help in the build-up phase. Following a difficult campaign spent mostly as a reserve, he could end up atop the hierarchy.
The midfield
In the middle, while waiting to decipher Tijjani Reijnders’ future, Youssouf Fofana seems an obvious player to build around. His physicality, ball recovery and work rate going forward and back are a fit for Allegri.
With the French midfielders Allegri has a certain feeling: from Pogba to Matuidi to the last great Juventus version of Rabiot. The defence and midfield, according to Max’s indications, would still need to be strengthened with new additions.
The attack
Rafael Leao is the player who stands out in attack. The explosiveness and the speed he gives on the break would become deadly in Max’s tactical approach, but the usual question weighs on Rafa.
Would he also be able to participate in the defensive phase? Allegri is a coach with the right experience to answer the question with a yes, but with Leao nothing can be taken for granted.
From this point of view, Christian Pulisic offers many more guarantees, adaptable to many roles and more inclined to help the team in case of difficulty. Certainly, unlike Vlahovic, Allegri should make Gimenez an internationally renowned scorer again.
Santi needs a coach who enhances his characteristics, with a development that helps him in the deep sprints as well as in the wall game. The investment of last January must be enhanced: Gimenez is an old-fashioned striker, who only needs a few chances to be decisive.
Pavlovic….a defensive pillar?? Ok ..
And Thiaw good with his feet, not like he scored so many own goals and gave assists to our opponents in so many crucial games..
Thiaw’s finishing in his own net is world class…
The funny thing is, he’s the only one who can play with the ball from the back. Pavlo needs a leash. Gabbia is good in rotation. Tomori needs to go. So we do need at least one stellar CB …
Agree but I wouldn’t build the defence around Thiaw – he’s a rotation option for me so we need someone else who can play out of the back..
😂🤣🤣🤣🤣😂
And what would the formation be? That’s something that I’m not really sure with Allegri. His favourite when came to Milan 1st time was 4312 (also my personal favourite). He then went on to use 4231, 442 and 352 with Juventus. Non of which suit this crop of players.
The issue is Leao and what formation to use to get the best out of him …
To date his never shown that he can thrive in anything but a front 3.
He limits options to 433, 4231 or 343.
THE ONLY PROBLEM IN MILAN IS THEY ONLY NEED TO SELL RAFAEL LEAO THAT’S ALL AND EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE
Your low IQ is showing a lot here
Allegri needs an established Stickers line Ibra, Higuain.
Don’t think this team suits his style.
Sarri will be the right person for this team, Santi and Leo will explode under Sarri but he won’t work with Tare
Allegri fail most Juve players, not just Vlahovic. Rabiot has been underwhelming until his last year of contract. Hr rarely gave space to young players too. His team gets dominated by teams in relegated zone. I don’t see any appeal to this dinosaur coach.
We still have kalulu
Not for long. Juventus want to redeem him.
If Allegri comes I hope he sticks to the 3-4-2-1 or change it a little to the 3-5-2 he used at Juventus.
Leao up top in a free role with Gimenez, and Pulisic behind them in a free offensive midfielder role could be interesting.
Then they hopefully bring in Ricci with some of the Reijnders money to play in a defensive double pivot with Fofana.
If Milan sell Leao I think Allegri will ask for Keane to play up front with Gimenez.
Tomori out and Comuzzo in would be a good change in the defense. Pavlovic-Comuzzo-Thiaw would be one big strong defensive line.
Rovella is a better player than Ricci to replace Reinjders if he is sold. But Milan still need another pure defensive midfielder and I would take Frendrup over Ricci any day.
Hear me out… Bring. Kalulu. Back.
Allegri will kill Milan and then it will see Furlani sacked once and for all.
The best thing for Milan is to be sold. Cardinale is a business man that hands his asset to incompetency.
The sporting director is laughing all the way to the bank.
A man who at Lazio never wanted Milan and yet he is here? Stay tuned Milan faithful.
Why sell Reijnders? We have to keep the top players and build the team around them. It’s not possible to reinvent a new team every year. There must be continuity to have success!