It is clear that the 3-5-2 is no longer Massimiliano Allegri’s clear solution to the problems at AC Milan and a formation change could be coming.
In recent months, calls for a 4-3-3 have grown louder and it seems Allegri is also unable to stop them at this point. He trialled the system at the start of the season and then moved to a 3-5-2 and never looked back.
However, a back four has been the go-to when Milan needed a change in games and it may finally be the starting option.
A shift in formation
Calls are not getting any quieter and as Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) write this morning, the attack are not producing enough, so a change feels inevitable. Santiago Gimenez’s return strengthens the chance of this and it could be unleashed before the end of the season.
It speaks volumes that Strahinja Pavlovic and Youssouf Fofana were the last two players to have attempts in the opposition’s penalty area in Naples. Of course, credit can be given to them. However, it shows the issue as larger than it may have been seen before.
More goals are needed if the Rossoneri want to qualify for the Champions League. Currently, they are sleepwalking towards another season outside of Europe’s elite competition. The only way to change that would be to start more offensively.
It seemingly boils down to conditions, though. Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic are not in their best moments physically. Maybe next week, they can be starters. Both are experiencing poor moments of their seasons, albeit due to these fitness problems. Nevertheless, a change is needed and a return to their natural positions may help their fires be relit.
Lol, glad we can agree top4 isn’t yet guaranteed, it’s more delicate than ever now, and it could drag till last game of the season to decide and by which case we may be at the mercy of referees.
If Alegri had been strong on the title challage regardless of top4 been the target we would not be heading to a nerve-wracking end of season. But alas here we are, I really hope we can finish in top4.
Let me say this again, there’s no improving of this team that can happen by player purchases that will guarantee desired results on the long run, the only guarantee is a better system which at this point is nonexistent.
yeah because Juventus and Como will win every game and Milan will lose every game
makes total sense
What doesn’t make any sense is how you always manage to talk sh!+ about others’ opinions and never post any of your own… Almost like you don’t have any. Weird…
I don’t give a fuxk about top 4 tbh. We don’t need better players we need a better system to make this game fun watching again like wtf was I watching this season. Disgusting.
Well said. Is there any Milan-fans who enjoyed the “defend at all costs” -approach against Napoli? Antifootball at its finest. No desire or will to even try to score and win.
I can say I suffered. A lot. Such a fng pathetic display.
And to the Allegri-fanatics who say “results are more important than entertaining football” I say: what results? We lost to Lazio and we lost to Napoli. Created nothing against them. Is that what you want?
The truth is in the middle. Last year we played better football and look where we ended up. Our primary problem was defending. I understand this approach of first fixing the main problem to secure CL at all costs. It’s also nonsensical to change winning ways for the last few games. Fear is not a good ally. From next season on, I expect a corporate overhaul (exit Furlani) and 3 or 4 quality signings. Then, next season, Max will truly alternate between a 5 and 4 man backline as he meant to do at the start of the season before everyone and their mother got injured in shifts.
“It’s also nonsensical to change winning ways for the last few games. ”
But the key fact is that WE ARE NOT WINNING. We lost to Lazio. We lost to Napoli. 3 last matches: 1 win, 2 losses. That form will not keep us in the TOP4.
That’s because even with this bunch Max has been over-performing all season and we’re regressing down to about where we should be. This team has huge gaps – I’m surprised we made it this far.
Agree, last year the problem was defending. But let’s look at who was there. Emerson, then slow-Walker, and Calabria who was probably the best. On the other side Theo who became a walking disaster. Add that to how bad a year Mike was having and the drama with Leao and Theo. I believed the defense could have been fixed without this level of neutering of the offense. People also forget the year before ACM was second. So, what happen?
Exactly. People saying “we’re overperforming with huge holes in our squad” have a very short memory.
And I 100% agree on that our improved standings are thanks to Theo being out and getting Modric, Rabiot etc. NOT 100% thanks to Allegri. I might even say “despite Allegri”. 🙂
It’s honestly the worst season I can remember, and I’ve been watching Milan since the mid 90s. I hate that bullsh!t circus quote. Football IS meant to be entertainment
Agree in a way with Matijs van de Sande. Truth is in the middle. You dont care about top 4 and want exciting games. I guess you were very happy with Fonseca and Conceicao last season. Going all in forward, scoring 2 and letting the opposition score 4; end up in 8th on the table.
I’m no Allegri fan, and he has never been Klopp or Guardiola in the free flowing game. But he stabilized our club, shore up our leaky defense and got us back on track.
winning is boring?
we are losing & boring..
but but but we are 1st in beginning of season & now 3rd (CL spot) w/ park the bus..
losing & boring
clearly you didnt watch last season or the years of Muntari, Honda, Emmanuelson etc. Geez
Still having nightmares about that era… 🫣