MN: Allegri fields ‘chameleonic’ Milan in preseason – the present doubts and certainties

With five preseason friendlies in the bank, we are still left guessing regarding what Massimiliano Allegri’s preferred starting formation will be.

As MilanNews writes, at the start of the summer – in the various friendlies played on tour and in those on Saturday and Sunday against Leeds and Chelsea – Allegri has fielded a rather ‘chameleonic’ Milan in terms of system.

This is perhaps because until a few days ago there was no real striker, or because not all the necessary players have arrived from the market yet. However, as we picked out in our analyses, the Rossoneri varied between a 3-5-1-1 and a more readable 4-3-3.

Both formations showed fluidity depending on the phase, given that off the ball the idea is to have a three-man back line exploiting the central defenders’ characteristics. For example, Fikayo Tomori and Strahinja Pavlovic – like Koni De Winter – play the role of outside centre-back well.

Questions over roles

While the consistency of a three-man midfield is not in doubt as Luka Modric, Samuele Ricci, Youssouf Fofana, Ardon Jashari and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will alternate throughout the season, questions are looming regarding the attack and defence.

Playing with a three-man defence requires at least one more signing because having four players (De Winter, Tomori, Gabbia and Pavlovic) for three spots means being an injury or two away from crisis.  Davide Bartesaghi can be adapted if needed, but another role player would be needed.

Photo by AC Milan

On the left, everything is fine with Pervis Estupinan, Bartesaghi and Alex Jimenez if needed , while on the right, doubts are starting to arise. If Zachary Athekame were to arrive, Milan would be left with the Swiss and Jimenez, who do not offer physical and defensive guarantees.

In attack, the only player who currently seems certain of a starting spot is Rafael Leao. The Portuguese had a great preseason, showing excellent performances even as a central striker. He can be a weapon in both a 3-5-2 and a 4-3-3.

And Christian Pulisic? He can play alongside Leao, but in that case, both Santi Gimenez and the new striker the transfer market will bring would end up on the bench. In a 4-3-3, he can move back to the right, a position he’s excelled in recent years.

One might imagine Pulisic as an attacking midfielder, like Paulo Fonseca initially envisioned last year, but it’s undeniable that he’s much more dangerous and consistent on the flank. So, Milan are perhaps still searching for tactical certainties, a few days from the start of the season.