[Bluesummers]

FORZA MILAN WE TRAVEL TO REGGINA ON WEDNESDAY TO WOOP SOME BOOTY!

[Zed.D]

Calcio Debate: Should Milan Stick With A Two-Man Attack?

Milan finally woke up at the weekend to kick-start their Serie A season with a crushing 4-1 win over Lazio. Carlo Garganese asks whether Carlo Ancelotti should now stick with a two man strikeforce, as modelled by Alexandre Pato and Marco Borriello on Sunday…

Carlo Ancelotti scrapped his favoured Christmas Tree formation against Lazio on Sunday night, and the results were emphatic. The Rossoneri’s attacking play was sparkling at times, and it wouldn’t have been unjust if they had ended the night with more than four goals to show for their efforts.

In the games against Bologna and Genoa previously, Ancelotti had opted for just the one-man upfront, Pippo Inzaghi in the former, and Andriy Shevchenko in the latter. Two defeats, one goal scored, and four conceded, appears to suggest that something, somewhere didn’t work out. Milan may have dominated from start-to-finish during the Bologna loss (although they were dreadful against Genoa), but what is clear, in my mind anyway, is that they look far more potent with two central attackers on the pitch.

Against Lazio, the Rossoneri had options every time they came forward. When Kaka counter-attacked at pace, he had more than one team-mate in support. When full backs Marek Jankulovski and Gianluca Zambrotta bombed down the flank, their was actually a chance that their crosses would be worthwhile, as proved to be the case with the third goal for Pato.

When a direct long ball was launched up to Borriello, he had a strike partner who could feed off him. When Clarence Seedorf was looking for that clever through pass, there wasn’t only the one run to pick out. When the Lazio defence had to mark up, all four of them had to remain concentrated, as opposed to just one centre back.

There are times when playing one man in attack can work, particularly against stronger teams, where winning the midfield battle can be key. My theory, to speak very generally, has always been that against weaker opposition, you should overpower them where possible with offensive potential. This is what Milan should do this season. It is no coincidence that over the past couple of years the Rossoneri have struggled against the so-called weaker teams. During this time they have mainly employed the Christmas Tree formation. See the pattern?

Lesser teams shutting up shop will find it much easier against the Christmas Tree. Milan’s slow attacks using this formation can be painfully predictable at times, despite the presence of creative geniuses such as Pirlo, Seedorf and Kaka. The age of the slow-attack through the middle, as was the case in the 1980s is almost dead. Tomorrow night Milan travel to Calabria to take on one of these lesser teams, Reggina, and Ancelotti must surely not revert back to his old habit.

Personally I would like to see Borriello and Pato both keep their places. The partnership worked really well against Lazio, however the latest reports suggest that the Italian may make way for Shevchenko. The Ukrainian was dreadful in his opening two Serie A games, but he was excellent alongside Pato in the 3-1 UEFA Cup win over FC Zurich last week, where once again the merits of the two-pronged attack were highlighted. One thing is absolutely certain and that is if Shevchenko is going to find his form again, he needs a strike partner. At 32 he can’t be expected to lead the line by himself.

Just how Ancelotti decides to use his midfielders, particularly Ronaldinho, in such a system, is an interesting question, but it is of secondary importance. First and foremost Carletto must employ a two-man attack. Then, he can decide what to do with Ronaldinho and co.

Carlo Garganese

Great article. all some fans have been trying to say for a LONG time: except for 1 or 2 games a season, the Christmas tree formation simply sucks. anyone dares to disagree?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

This post has been edited by zdrossoneri: Sep 23 2008, 02:30 PM