AC Milan Club Focus; Is 3-4-3 the right formation for the Rossoneri?

Date: 29th October 2012 at 2:26pm
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AC Milan have played their last two matches in a formation which has raised the eyebrows of the Rossoneri faithful. But is Massimiliano Allegri’s new 3-4-3 system the answer for the side or is it another flash in the pan in what has been a poor season for Il Diavolo.

Allegri staunchly defended his 3-4-3 experiment with these post-match comments, following the defeat to Malaga.: “I think the team is more protected with this system and of course we will improve with practice. That’s not to say we won’t ever return to four at the back, but right now we need to find some balance. The lads gave all they possibly could. We have to improve in the final third, where we often get it wrong, but the team played a good game. I used this system so the wing-backs could get to the by-line and provide more service for Giampaolo Pazzini.”

In essence, the 3-4-3 can be perceived as an attacking formation. The cynic will look at the three centrebacks in the system and perceive it differently, of course. In context to the current Milan squad and in adherence to its core competencies, this formation seems rather appropriate.

Allegri has implemented this formation twice, albeit with slight alterations in both occasions. Against Malaga, Allegri adopted a defense-first approach, explained with his use of Kevin Constant and Mattia de Sciglio on the wings. They played deeper, tucked in while defending, causing a convergence in the shape of the side to a back five during the defensive phases of the game.

Allegri played Luca Antonini and Ignazio Abate against Genoa, two fullbacks who are more comfortable running with the ball without being particularly burdened about defending, or anything remotely associated with defending. As a result, they were positioned higher up the pitch, pinning back Genoa’s fullbacks and to a certain extent, even Genoa’s wide midfielders. Abate constantly whipped in the crosses and made overlapping runs, while Urby Emanuelson cut in with his preferred left foot and floated in-swinging crosses.The variation was indeed delightful to watch, if not the quality of crosses per se. Alexandre Pato visibly lacked match sharpness and was often not in the right place at the right time. If he was, or if Giampaolo Pazzini had played instead, Milan might have walked away with a more comfortable win.

AC Milan defending against Malaga

The 3-4-3 brings natural width to the team which is otherwise absent in Allegri’s standard 4-3-1-2. Pato and Pazzini are strikers who thrive on diagonal crosses into the box, and when they are deprived of service, they become redundant. Milan have experienced a genuine apathy in front of goal with Stephan El Shaarawy carrying the attack scoring six of Milan’s ten goals in the league. Pazzini has contributed to the tally with three goals, but all of which were scored in one game (Milan’s 3-1 victory over Bologna). To get the forwards firing, Allegri has finally realized the significance of delivery, consequentially dropping the robust, uninspiring Kevin-Prince Boateng from the starting XI. Moreover, with three men assigned to attack, a wide forward will inevitably cover the far post in occasion of the striker missing out on a cross. El Shaarawy’s run at the far post, converting a promising opportunity into a goal against Genoa is evidence of this tactic.

Apart from the formation’s attacking contributions, the 3-4-3 provides defensive solidity. The defenders are unlikely to make attacking forays into the opposition (although I would like them to from time to time), keeping them strictly rooted to their duties. Allegri usually starts with an anchor-man, further cementing the improbability of the goal being breached. Malaga were repeatedly frustrated by the provincial approach Milan exercised in Spain. But it wasn’t as simple as putting men behind the ball, but players being positionally responsible. The back-three covered the box with the two central midfielders plugging the gaps in between. The wingers also tracked back to make it virtually impossible to thread a through-ball to the attackers.

The formation succeeds in isolating the opposition’s forwards, whilst attacking midfielders choke for space in-between the lines. Not quite Catenaccio, but the closest it comes to tantalizing our tactical senses. The formation is probably not built to entertain as it conforms to sealing the leaking holes at the back before unleashing fireworks in attack, but if implemented properly, this formation can yield results. And who, in the present climate, understands the importance of results better than Massimiliano Allegri.

Follow Rajath Kumar on twitter @rajathkumar and be sure to read his AC Milan blog.

 

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