Sergio Conceicao opted to use a three-man defence against Udinese, and the result was a resounding 4-0 win with plenty of positive signs.
As MilanNews writes, the first outing of the 3-4-3 system at the Bluenergy Stadium highlighted a number of things that can be built on, both by Conceicao in the season finale and potentially by a new coach.
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Firstly, the left side. The characteristics of Theo Hernandez, free from defensive roles, were on display more than in other games this season. Rafael Leao meanwhile got a goal and an assist, playing a bit further up the field.
Tijjani Reijnders may have been playing in a double pivot alongside Youssouf Fofana, but that meant he was more involved in the build-up phase and his runs forward seemed to come more by surprise, such as for his goal.
At the back, Strahinja Pavlovic was able to partake in some gallops forward, risking less than other times. On the right side Alex Jimenez is perfect for the role of wing-back, given that he is like Theo in his attacking predisposition.
Samuel Chukwueze and Rafael Leao as pure attacking wingers are perfect for a 3-4-3, while Christian Pulisic and Joao Felix can transform the system into 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2. Kyle Walker played more as a right central defender towards the end of his time at Manchester City, too.
The next matches against Atalanta and Inter, teams that have been using the three-man defence for a lifetime, will be a real test.
Don’t conclude based on a game.
Oli is only analysing the formation with the crop of players we have. It is evident that a 3-4-3 or a 4-3-3 is more suitable for the squad.
The joker in this 3-4-3 are the wingbacks. If very active and mobile, we could easily be playing with 5 defenders and 4 midfielders in one formation while still playing the 3-4-3 as they are both midfielders and defenders at the same time.
My particular preference for this formation is it’s flexibility, given that it can easily transition a 4-3-3 or a 5-2-3, 5-3-2 or 5-4-1.
If one understands football tactics, you can easily see the transition.
If our coach can effectively utilise this formation, it is an extremely powerful one, especially given that we don’t have the required set of midfielders to execute the 4-2-3-1 formation, neither do we have the right set of attackers to play with two strikers (especially with Leao in the picture).
OUT: Chukwueze (15-17M), RLC (10-15M), Thiaw (necessary sacrifice 35-40M)
the rest of the players that are out on loan (excluding Alexis)… I would potentially only keep Adli from them (55M and I guess ~15M for Okafor, somewhere under 75M)
IN: Comuzzo (30M), Coppola (10-15M), Ricci (30M), Walker (buy-out, 2-3M), Saelemakers (homecoming), Pepe (25M), Cherki (final year of contract, so under 30M, close to 20-25M)
Terraciano could be interesting choice… his midfielder-esque playstyle would be better at RM/LM, than RB/LB
Isn’t this game fun? I feel like your numbers are a little off. Saelemaekers has repeatedly said he wants to stay at Roma, so not sure why we’re insisting on this. Arsenal, City, Chelsea all interested in Cherki, so that’s a no. Which Pepe? The one that flopped at Arsenal and only has a goal and 2 assists for Villareal?
Whoever comes in will ultimately depend on the formation the next coach will use, but assuming it’s 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3:
In:
Coppola 20M (rising Italy international and Verona is not stupid)
Ricci 40M (Italy international and Torino is certainly not stupid. Many clubs interested); Cheaper option is Frendrup at 25M
Walker 4M (there is a clause for 5M, and we want a discount, we’ll only get so much off, if anything further); If Walker doesn’t stay, Mattia Zanotti 10M (FC Lugano)
Lucca 30M
Oristanio 10M (backup for Rejinders at AM), in the alternative Hans Nicolusi Caviglia, same price but more of a CM than an AM.
Cacace 10M (backup for Theo)
Gnonto 20M (rotation for Leao/Pulisic)
Zeroli free (depth for CM)
Spend = 140M at the high end (and I find it hard to believe we’ll spend this much.
Out:
Tomori 20M
Chukwueze 12M
Okafor 10M
Saelemaekers 14M
Pobega 8M (although could be kept for depth)
Musah 15M
Origi for a bag of peanuts
Terraciano 3M
RLC 10M
Kalulu 14M (option fee)
Bennacer 12M (option fee)
Adli 10M (option fee, although he might make for an interesting depth option if kept)
All loanees return to their clubs (i.e., Abraham, Sottil, etc.)
Potential Income = 128M
140M – 128M = 12M net spend, which leaves room for potentially one more signing in the 20-30M range, in which case I’d look at another winger, as we’d only really have Leao, Pulisic and Gnonto in the above scenario.
12M for Chiesa as back-up/ rotation of Leao, Puli & Gnoto
Since everyone here is playing FIFA/FM, might as well have a go. Formation – 433.
GK – Torriani, Sportiello
DC – Gabbia, Thiaw, Pavlovic, COPPOLA (~12M), Pellegrino (He’s cooking back in Argentina)
DL – Theo (RENEW HIS CONTRACT!!), Bartesaghi
DR – ZANOTTI (6-8 M, he may only be playing in Swiss league, but see Calafiori), Jimenez, Terracciano (Italian quota, versatile, profesional attitude, what more can u ask?)
DM/REGISTA – RICCI / ROVELLA (30-40M, the one big investment required), Bondo
CM/MEZZALA – Reinjders-ZEROLI, Fofana-POBEGA
LW – Pulisic, OKAFOR (pace, direct, presses well, just pray can stay fit) / CHIESA (LOAN WITH OBLIGATION, similar pro and cons as Okafor)
RW – GULER (LOAN WITH OPTION – time to use our Get Out of Jail card with Real again), Liberali
ST – Gimenez, COLOMBO, Jovic / Camarda
Those not on the list should be cut lose. Biggest sacrifice would be Maignan, Tomori, Leao. Its necessary with no CL likely. The hypothetical team above also has a lot of academy graduates. They’re cheap, but why not? The foreign imports have been given their chances and failed. Now is the time for the homegrown talents to get their fair chance instead. Plus, the locals in Milan might be more willing to accept and support one of their own compared to the imports. Its vital to rebuild now, accept a few setbacks along the way, and come back stronger later, for the sake of ensuring sustainability. But, then again, this is just a what if-what could be situation (we’re playing FIFA right.lol). Unfortunately, I see no hope under the current ownership. Sad
Since everyone here is playing FIFA/FM, might as well have a go. Formation – 433.
GK – Torriani, Sportiello
DC – Gabbia, Thiaw, Pavlovic, COPPOLA (~12M), Pellegrino (He’s cooking back in Argentina)
DL – Theo (RENEW HIS CONTRACT!!), Bartesaghi
DR – ZANOTTI (6-8 M, he may only be playing in Swiss league, but see Calafiori), Jimenez, Terracciano (Italian quota, versatile, profesional attitude, what more can u ask?)
DM/REGISTA – RICCI / ROVELLA (30-40M, the one big investment required), Bondo
CM/MEZZALA – Reinjders-ZEROLI, Fofana-POBEGA
LW – Pulisic, OKAFOR (pace, direct, presses well, just pray can stay fit) / CHIESA (LOAN WITH OBLIGATION, similar pro and cons as Okafor)
RW – GULER (LOAN WITH OPTION – time to use our Get Out of Jail card with Real again), Saelemaekers, Liberali
ST – Gimenez, COLOMBO, Jovic / Camarda
Those not on the list should be cut lose. Biggest sacrifice would be Maignan, Tomori, Leao. Its necessary with no CL likely. The hypothetical team above also has a lot of academy graduates. They’re cheap, but why not? The foreign imports have been given their chances and failed. Now is the time for the homegrown talents to get their fair chance instead. Plus, the locals in Milan might be more willing to accept and support one of their own compared to the imports. Its vital to rebuild now, accept a few setbacks along the way, and come back stronger later, for the sake of ensuring sustainability. But, then again, this is just a what if-what could be situation (we’re playing FIFA right.lol). Unfortunately, I see no hope under the current ownership. Sad
Have to say; every time our team have used the 3-4-3 we have come out as the winning side. Mbe we need to try this out, honestly it is the best solution for the players