AC Milan Club Focus: Dennis the Menez

Date: 4th March 2016 at 6:50am
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With AC Milan now 11 games unbeaten following a 5-0 victory at home to Alessandria in the Coppa Italia, a familiar face was seen on the field – Jeremy Menez. Can the Frenchman bring something new to Sinisa Mihajlovic, asks George Rinaldi?

Menez AC Milan

Menez has been an intriguing player to follow the past few seasons. Having featured for both Roma and Paris Saint-Germain in the past, his move to Milan on a free in the summer of 2014 wasn’t a signing to dismiss from the off. The then 27-year-old hit the ground running under Filippo Inzaghi, featuring in 33 of their 38 Serie A matches, scoring a not too shabby 16 goals as well.

The man from Longjumeau was the heartbeat of that side, despite the rather disappointing season as a whole. With an average of a goal every 169 minutes, he was hitting the back of the net once in every two games. Since the arrival of Mihajlovic ahead of the 2015-16 season, Menez has only played in two league matches, and hadn’t featured since a Coppa Italia tie versus Perugia in August.

But, after a spell of around 10 months on the sidelines, Menez is back and what a way to return too. Two goals in a romping 5-0 victory to ensure the Diavolo were going to be the Coppa Italia final this season showcased everything Menez has to offer. Speed, passing, and of course scoring. Who cares if it was against a Lega Pro side, you can’t buy that sort of morale boosting goalscoring.

AC Milan

So what can the versatile attacker offer to Mr Mihajlovic? Well, the first main point is that Sinisa himself wants Menez back on the field. After his long stint out, he has featured from the bench against both Genoa and Napoli, meaning it’s clear for all to see that the coach wants him on the field.

What Menez can do is offer that aforementioned word, versatility. Whether it be on the wing, a centre attacking midfielder or even a striker, there are numerous options to apply his variety of dribbling and finishing. However, since the Diavolo have started their revival, Mihajlovic has opted for the classic formation of yesteryear, 4-4-2.

In this style, Menez, if he was to start, would have to occupy one of the wide positions. However, Giacomo Bonaventura has been a class act at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza thus far, so he would not be able to shift the flourishing Italian. He could replace Keisuke Honda, although the Japanese star has improved on his performances of late.

honda milan

Therefore, the best way to get the true brilliance of Menez to show, and fortunately what will work well with his introduction back into football, is to make a difference from the bench. If a game is held at a deadlock, or Milan trail by a goal, Menez is the perfect player to bring on in order to change the game.

It would mean the formation and tactics would alter to best suit the Frenchman. Arguably, playing behind Carlos Bacca would be his best bet. It would allow Menez to act as the anchor between both the midfield and the attack. You could even say a trequartista – three-quarters up the pitch. It would allow Jeremy to drive forward with the ball, aid Bacca, but also have his own chances of scoring.

His tally of 16 goals is something Mihajlovic must keep in mind, as it is clear that when the chances fall in the path of Menez, he should score. So by acting as the man to get the ball into the final third, his expertise at close-control dribbling will come into play.

Mihajlovic Milan

It does mean M’Baye Niang would have to make way, but the balance of pace would therefore remain the same, as Mihajlovic would install a 4-4-1-1 formation.

Should Mihajlovic wish to play both Frenchmen at the same time, a 4-3-1-2 with Menez again acting as the centre attacking midfielder could be the only viable option. It would mean the defence stay the same, but the midfield would have to alter. Realistically, Honda should be the man to make way, allowing Bonaventura, Riccardo Montolivo and Juraj Kucka to occupy the centre of the park. If needs be, Andrea Bertolacci could replace Kucka, who has been blowing hot and cold all season.

But with Menez, there is definitely something there to springboard Milan from sixth to third. It’s a tall order, of course it is, but with the inconsistently of some teams above them, a string of good results alongside their current superb run could make a difference. Menez could be a menace to the opposition, with Bacca his Gnasher.

 

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