In the summer, Massimiliano Allegri may decide to move forward with a 4-3-3, with proper backing from AC Milan. However, the system may be implemented this season, too.
Throughout the year, there have been questions about Allegri’s system and the future of this Milan team. Indeed, the Italian has regularly switched to a 4-3-3 in games, but he has never strayed from starting in a 3-5-2.
Of course, it has worked for the majority of the season, so there is no real need for change. Yet, it can be argued that, especially recently, the Rossoneri have been more dangerous with two wide forwards and a striker.
Immediate effects
So, there is the chance that Allegri decides to make the shift in the final games of the season. Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic would return to their natural roles, and then this would leave an empty role.
As Gazzetta dello Sport writes, Niclas Fullkrug would become the striker, imaginably, and he would be the main player to benefit from the system change. However, the changes would not be limited to the front-line.
Alexis Saelemaekers would have questions asked about his ability to play as a right-back. In fact, the suggestion this morning is that it would be between Fikayo Tomori and Zachary Athekame for that spot.
With Allegri’s focus on balance, as he stated post-Torino, Saelemaekers would still play a lot, though.
A change in the summer?
In the future, more specifically in the summer mercato, the movements would be mainly for wide players. Attacking wingers would be needed, and it would make the off-season a ‘more interesting period’.
If the 4-3-3 becomes the formation, then another right-back would surely be needed; Tomori and Athekame would probably not be seen as enough.
Indeed, the mercato may not be as simple as it may seem currently, but is it ever?
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May or may not. We’ll read the same article once or twice a week until September.
4-3-3 with Pavlovic as our LCB would be a strange call IMO, the guy is thriving in the current setup and the other CBs are all benefitting from the added cover collectively.
If we make that switch, I’d expect Pavlovic or Tomori to have to become one of the full backs to keep a bit of balance. I think it would be asking too much of Modric otherwise, or we have to drop Fofana deeper again.
I’d like to see Pavlovic at striker at least one game.
Its only Gabbia and Saelemaekers who benefit from the 532, they’re the worst 2 players in the starting XI and that formation covers their limitations. 433 benefits literally everyone else.
Exactly right. Saleamakers aside from a couple good games early in the summer has been poor and getting worse every match. He holds the ball too long, dribbles too much and can’t finish or deliver a good cross. The 4-3-3 solves that problem.
Athekame has looked good every time he gets a chance to play. I have no problem with him at RB.
Bartesaghi at LB with Pavlovic and De Winter at CB. Tomori and Gabbia can rotate in. It let’s Leao play out wide where he can use his speed. Pulisic has proven he play just about anywhere and contribute.
But then again, this is Allegri we are talking about. Probably the most stubborn human on the planet.
What speed is Leao going to use out wide?
Have you seen him run?
Allegri will not switch to a 433 unless it’s an in game change but he eilll not start with 433. He will always start with his favored 352.