Milan’s search for a trequartista is taking them on a world tour. From Brazil’s Ganso to Belgium’s Eden Hazard, the management is busy scouting the planet for someone to replace the huge void left behind by Ricky Kaka.
Many have been tried in that position but none came close to emulating the Brazilian’s influence. Perhaps the man to resolve Milan’s concerns is already within the squad.
Contrary to popular notion, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not a target man. He doesn’t like playing with his back to goal. However, he has been typecast as one mainly due to his physical presence. Zlatan loves to peel off the defender’s shoulders, get the ball on the sidelines and tread those fine balls to the on running attackers.
His tally of 11 assists in the league go to show that he is a team player, one who possibly enjoys setting up goals for his fellow forwards. He is two crucial passes short of being the man with the highest assists in the Serie A. The stereotypical understanding of him being a target man has possibly reduced his effectiveness in the clubs he has played at with very little emphasis given to his passes and vision.
Zlatan is no Kaka. He will not run at defenses at the speed of light or dance around defenders with pretty feet. What he will do is find the forwards with the final ball with endearing efficiency. With his height and build, he brings an added dimension of strength to the attack. Milan could use him in the hole while employing two forwards infront of him. Currently, Milan’s options include Alex Pato, Pippo Inzaghi, Robinho and Antonio Cassano. A combination of any two with Zlatan behind them could wreck havoc against any opposition. Here is how. 
Pato has got the pace to stretch defenses. He often finds himself in free spaces. Zlatan’s vision can find the Brazilian, which we have seen a few times this season. Robinho will be more decisive and precise in his finishing if he isn’t expected to drop deep. With Zlatan holding the ball around the box, Robinho could use his pace and his movement to draw a defender away and create space for the Swede. Also, allowing Robinho to play higher up the pitch could give him the freedom to unleash those mesmerising dribbling skills which the Milanisti have been craving to see.His biggest strengths are taking on defenders and sprinting over short distances which will be better utitlised if he is positioned closer to the goal.
Inzaghi would thrive on Ibrahimovic’s through balls and will constantly have one defender beside him throughout the game. The other defender would have to switch between the second striker and Ibrahimovic to prevent the movement or the final pass. I can see why most defenders may fret in moments such as these. If Cassano is played, Allegri holds the option of interchanging the role of the creator between Cassano and Ibrahimovic leaving the defense baffled on where the creativity would spring from.
Hence, the sort of options that Allegri has at his disposal is flattering and much deeper than people would initially believe. Milan’s midfield comprises of a couple of options who would attack the box from the left and the right when the team moves forward. Prince Boatang and Mathieu Flamini are enthusiastic midfielders who enjoy making late runs into the box. The availability of these players in the first team increases the scope of passing options present to Ibrahimovic. The width provided by the midfielders creates a gulf in the heart of defense which opens up sufficient room for Ibra to launch a long range effort on goal.
The challenge though, is in Allegri’s system, the trequartista is expected to track back and do the dirty work. Boatang has therefore thrived in this role. His work ethic astounded oppositions and prevented the opposing midfield from launching quick counter attacks. But the Ghanaian is not as gifted as Ibrahimovic is. The graft is there but the craft is missing. If Allegri can get Ibrahimovic to work harder than a sloth does, Milan’s attack will experience a dynamic change which could transform them into the most potent attack in Europe.
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Think you have a good point there. Allegri would have to make sure he doesn’t get into a strop about not scoring as many goals though!
Excellent read Rajath. I’ve forever been of that opinion as well that Ibra is not a prima punta. Although I think the trequartista role is a bit too deep for him [as he lacks the work ethic for a midfield role] he possesses all the skill-set needed for it. I picture him best as a seconda punta but that’s up to ideological/philosophical preferences. I blame Capello [when he was at Juve] who type-casted him into that target man role.
@Rory
The lack of goals will concern Zlatan too, but we do have prolific forwards in the side, what we lack is creativity. Hopefully, Cassano will add into the mix.
@Ogo
Thank you Ogo! Yes, his work ethic and his pace even is not best suited for a trequartista but he has the vision and the ability to draw defenders. I would love to see him paired with a second striker!
he does often come deep n become a false no 10…and thats when strikers create runs behind him…if u start him in treq. position all it does is complicate the balance…he is not the most mobile player so he cud be man marked..the way he is playing w a free role is the best way to get out of him…
but one thing is for sure..he is typecasted…
Fair points Vikram, a trequartista isn’t necessarily a n0.10. A no. 10 can be a central attacking midfielder as well, plays deeper than a trequartista.
He would get marked out of the game but his natural game is that of a trequartista. His would move about enough to receive service. His height and strength would give additional ability to break the marking as well.