One of the big topics of discussion connected to AC Milan is how Luka Modric will be managed, and subsequently when Ardon Jashari will be given chances.
According to MilanVibes, Jashari wants more regular playing time this season, and Ruben Amorim seems intent on giving it to him. However, in the first three games, Luka Modric has started twice. The Rossoneri will face more games, but rotation between the Swiss and the Croatian must be watched.
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Amorim’s idea
It goes without saying that Modric is capable of making the difference at any time. His class allowed Milan to make the late push they did and unlock the game against Torino, then against Venezia and Juventus he started and showed why he is the most important build-up point of reference.
However, with him on the pitch, we witnessed a much less aggressive and compact team in recovering the ball, obviously also due to the fact that a 41-one-year-old must be protected throughout the match, not just the season in general.
Already against the Bianconeri, despite a positive performance from the Croatian, the Rossoneri suffered greatly from their inability to apply co-ordinated pressure in central areas. This issue was seen when Nico Gonzalez started dropping into the spaces as a No.10, too.
The match against Lazio could call upon a player like Jashari to restore that freshness for the full 60 minutes, before unleashing Modric’s immense class in the final half hour to make the difference in ball possession.
The former Club Brugge man offers less creativity and class but certainly more dynamism and intensity, against a Lazio midfield that – with Davide Frattesi, Reda Belahyane and Kenneth Taylor – has plenty of legs and physicality.
Modric will surely feel the pull of a European night too, even if it’s not the Champions League, with Benfica coming to San Siro on Wednesday night. So, is it likely that the Croatian will start against in Europe and Jashari in the league?
Amorim’s logic is still somewhat unknown to us at the moment, especially given how much he is rotating in other areas. Nonetheless, Jashari psychologically needs starts: lack of consistency means a lack of confidence in his game.
Logic suggests Jashari will start against Lazio and Lecce, while Modric will start against Benfica, but the reality is that both will get starting time at least once in the next three matches. Between a talent to develop and a legend to use, management is perhaps less straightforward than one might think.
I thought Milan’s midfield looked better with three, the weak link being Fofana last season, while all the talk was in trying to upgrade on him under Allegri.
Modric offers a lot of calm and control on the ball in the middle but he can’t press as much as Amorim needs him to, so then you start having to compromise players… Rabiot Modric and Musah could be a decent transitional midfield until either we upgrade on Musah or the American becomes a better player.
But with only two in midfield you have to try to find a pair that suffers the least. lIke a brain and a muscle which is what Musah and Modric have been.
I don’t know, I guess Amorim still has a lot of work to do to get his system to fire on all cylinders but at some point I wouldn’t mind seeing if he could make a mid 3 work.
Well, with what we saw against Juve I agree. However, if the 2 AMs up front play a crucial role if they play it right or Amorim picks the right players. Both of them can drop back and help organize that build up. But playing tight between the lines is a must, in order for that to work. Again, musah doesn’t have that vision to be e decent midfielder. Even, for those that say he is a destroyer. Still he should have some vision to pass the ball, carry it and build up play. Afterall he is a midfielder. Rabiot should play in that role since he is much better than musah and he is definitely not an AM. Also, not all for relying so much on Modric. 41 years old. As talented as he is and as smart as he is, still he is 41 and can’t keep up. Cannot controll the ball when can’t keep up and slow down the tempo. Even goalkeepers at 41 shouldn’t rely on. Amorim gets that 2 AM right and that Modric puzzle the team will perform better.
I’ve suggested it before (recently!), I’ll do it again. We should try
with 3-5-2 once again until everything is settled and upgraded: Maignan- Gila, De Winter, Pavlovic- Chukwueze (Saelemaekers), Musah, Modric, Rabiot, Saelemaekers/Moreira- Cisse/Pulisic- Ramos; 3-4-3 won’t work & we won’t abandon 3-man defense, hence there can be no talk of 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 or 4-3-2-1 setup(s).
Amorim’s system, first and foremost, requires every outfield player be able to press competently and repeatedly while sustaining the same energy levels throughout. Modric at one time would have been totally capable of this, but at 41 years old, he simply cannot be a truly first choice player in this team while they play this system.
The article outlines well how he can still be useful coming on around the 60th minute to mitigate the physicality gap that comes with his age. The reason Musah will thrive is the same reason Modric’s role has to be rethought. I am not even totally convinced Jashari is capable of the relentless, aggressive, effective pressing that the central midfield role requires in this setup. He has proven the difference between himself and Modric in this respect though so it is best to give him the starts to see over the course of this season whether or not he is to become a first choice player in this Milan.
I would also like to see Comotto be given an opportunity. The benefit of young legs in this system is one of the reasons Amorim can be successful while preferring to give young players more substantial roles than other Serie A managers typically do. Milan should use this to their advantage while Amorim is installing the project to try and find as many young in-house options in the squad as possible.
Thank you. My exact thoughts on Modric. If i read your comment first, wouldn’t have written mine.