[X-Offender]

Emanuelson as RW? Boateng as trequarista?

De Jong - Ambro
Bojan - Montolivo - El Sha
Pato

Better? Though in that case, why not just swap Nocerino for Ambro and play a pure 4-3-3 instead:

Montolivo - De Jong - Nocerino
Bojan - Pato - El Sha

There are many options to chose from here, Allegri just has to pick one. We must start playing an offensive formation ASAP, otherwise we'll never score more than 1-2 goals per game with the players we have at disposal.

This post has been edited by X-Offender: Oct 2 2012, 02:37 AM

[CHU-LIP]

De Jong - Ambro
Bojan - Montolivo - El Sha
Pato

Better? Though in that case, why not just swap Nocerino for Ambro and play a pure 4-3-3 instead:

I like this one when facing a strong opponent.

[han2503]

And playing 4-2-3-1 wouldn't lead to defensive instability? Come on now! It's a gambe we must take in order to strengthen our offensive game, and playing a 3-man defense with wingers would be the safest bet in that regard. I'm up for either formation, really, as long as we stop playing whatever Allegri has been playing in these past few weeks.

Defensive instability is more likely to come from a 3-man defence than a back 4. Also, playing with wingers would imply that we have decent ones, when we simply don't. Abate's biggest strnegth is his defensive capabilities imo, sure he can bomb up and down but he's great at being a RB, on the other hand, only Urby can pull off a left wingback position on the left.

On the other hand we have players that could potentially work great in a proper 4-2-3-1 setup.

Yes there has to be a huge change made from our current system but this is not rocket science. The team currently doesn't even have any shape on the pitch when we're playing. I've spent the last 2 games trying to figure out wat formation we were playing and couldn't see any clear shape out there. The formation max posted in the match thread depicts the mess perfectly.

All the forwards were lumped on the left side, Ambro, De Jong and Nocerino were all getting in each other's way so Nocerino then ended up playing on the right wing which is stupid in and of itself. Also, unless you play a pure 4-2-3-1, you simply cannot play Ambro and De Jong together in a flat midfield 3. Just doesn't make any sense as they always end up trying to occupy the same areas.

I like this one when facing a strong opponent.

The bolded part being the key point.

We don't need 2 DMs against regular Serie A sides, yet Allegri plays 2 or 3 in every game! Look at other teams around Europe, no one plays with 2 DMs simply because it's not a smart tactic, instead of looking defensively sound, we end up looking disjointed and inept on the ball.

Look at Real for example, they play Alonso and Khedira on most occasions. Alonso is not a DM and Khedira is a very forward thinking player even though at the roots he is a DM.

The point is, none of these guys are one dimensional players like Ambro and De Jong. And that's our problem. We can't have 2 of these guys in the midfield because instead of being defensively stable we end up giving the opposition more opportunites to come at us than we would when playing players who are good on the ball

[CHU-LIP]

The bolded part being the key point.

We don't need 2 DMs against regular Serie A sides, yet Allegri plays 2 or 3 in every game! Look at other teams around Europe, no one plays with 2 DMs simply because it's not a smart tactic, instead of looking defensively sound, we end up looking disjointed and inept on the ball.

Exactly. Usually we should play only two from Ambrosini, De Jong and Montolivo. Ideally one of them is Montolivo, because he is the most creative. Hopefully he won't disappoint for us, while the great Allegri didn't find more creative midfielders necessary in our squad, making Ambrosini the alternative not only for De Jong (or vice versa) but also for Montolivo. Even though Ambrosini has done well, you'd wish we had someone like Aquilani or Merkel as well.

I can live with a rotation between those three for those two spots, but if only we had more creativity, like in attacking midfield. Now without Ibrahimovic, Boateng has become a much lesser option for that position. I actually wouldn't mind either to try out someone else there, like Constant as Fillipo mentioned, or maybe Carmona or Valoti.

[han2503]

Exactly. Usually we should play only two from Ambrosini, De Jong and Montolivo. Ideally one of them is Montolivo, because he is the most creative. Hopefully he won't disappoint for us, while the great Allegri didn't find more creative midfielders necessary in our squad, making Ambrosini the alternative not only for De Jong (or vice versa) but also for Montolivo. Even though Ambrosini has done well, you'd wish we had someone like Aquilani or Merkel as well.

I can live with a rotation between those three for those two spots, but if only we had more creativity, like in attacking midfield. Now without Ibrahimovic, Boateng has become a much lesser option for that position. I actually wouldn't mind either to try out someone else there, like Constant as Fillipo mentioned, or maybe Carmona or Valoti.

Constant behind the strikers?

Nah, I think what Filippo meant was that Allegri actually played the noob that is Traore over a seasoned Serie A player, who is arguably much better. Constant can play behind the strikers as much as Urby can. It's not even an option.

At this point we shouldn't even HAVE a position behind the strikers, simply because we have no one to fill it. Prince should either be played as part of a 3-man midfield in a 4-3-3 os as part of the 3 behind the striker in a 4-2-3-1. Playing in the hole without a creative striker ahead of him renders Prince useless for us in that position

[CHU-LIP]

At this point we shouldn't even HAVE a position behind the strikers, simply because we have no one to fill it. Prince should either be played as part of a 3-man midfield in a 4-3-3 os as part of the 3 behind the striker in a 4-2-3-1. Playing in the hole without a creative striker ahead of him renders Prince useless for us in that position

Agreed. Just saying that if Allegri would continue playing with a trequarista, I wouldn't mind someone else given the chance. I am not that familair with Constant, so I wouldn't really know what to expect, but nor I think he offers what we need there. Therefore I mentioned Carmona and Valoti as well. At least Carmona is a real attacking midfielder with creativity, and he has proven to have at least some talent.

Ideally we do play without a trequarista, yes, that's one of the reasons I opt for a 3-4-3. Just saying that if we keep playing with one, there's no harm in trying out a prospect that actually fits that position when in our first team squad we have no one for that position (actually, both are listed in our first team squad), and we get to see someone like Boateng failing there and having a team that lacks creativity during its attacks.

http://www.acmilan.com/en/news/breaking_news_show/28818

Why not give him a shot? He seems like someone who would fit the trequarista role well, actually I know that from the little I've seen him. At the same time hard to say what to expect from him, but you never know until given the chance anyway. At least the team would have more creativity, and that's what we need.

This post has been edited by CHU-LIP: Oct 2 2012, 01:30 PM

[han2503]

Agreed. Just saying that if Allegri would continue playing with a trequarista, I wouldn't mind someone else given the chance. I am not that familair with Constant, so I wouldn't really know what to expect, but nor I think he offers what we need there. Therefore I mentioned Carmona and Valoti as well. At least Carmona is a real attacking midfielder with creativity, and he has proven to have at least some talent.

Ideally we do play without a trequarista, yes, that's one of the reasons I opt for a 3-4-3. Just saying that if we keep playing with one, there's no harm in trying out a prospect that actually fits that position when in our first team squad we have no one for that position (actually, both are listed in our first team squad), and we get to see someone like Boateng failing there and having a team that lacks creativity during its attacks.

http://www.acmilan.com/en/news/breaking_news_show/28818

Why not give him a shot? He seems like someone who would fit the trequarista role well, actually I know that from the little I've seen him. At the same time hard to say what to expect from him, but you never know until given the chance anyway. At least the team would have more creativity, and that's what we need.

I don't know, I've only seen little of both Valoti and Carmona, but they just don't even seem remotely ready to step into such a huge role. And it is a huge role to fill in the team considering the system we play.

I'd rather go for something with wingers (not wingbacks which is why I don't agree with the 3-4-3 aside from the instability of the 3-man defence)

[CHU-LIP]

I don't know, I've only seen little of both Valoti and Carmona, but they just don't even seem remotely ready to step into such a huge role. And it is a huge role to fill in the team considering the system we play.

I'd rather go for something with wingers (not wingbacks which is why I don't agree with the 3-4-3 aside from the instability of the 3-man defence)

Wingers is a must, yes. El Shaarawy on the left is a given. Robinho should play on the right if he gets back to his usual self. I hope that would be the case and not that he also is sad and leaving or so, else Bojan can play.

Still like the idea of having both wingers and wingbacks though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Which means no trequarista. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Also, any creative young midfielder we have. I hope one or more is ready enough to bring more of that into our team.

[X-Offender]

(IMG:http://this11.com/boards/abDtbZRaca.jpg)

Well? I'd say it looks good enough. It just needs practice and dedication from each player.

[han2503]

Wingers is a must, yes. El Shaarawy on the left is a given. Robinho should play on the right if he gets back to his usual self. I hope that would be the case and not that he also is sad and leaving or so, else Bojan can play.

Still like the idea of having both wingers and wingbacks though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Which means no trequarista. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Also, any creative young midfielder we have. I hope one or more is ready enough to bring more of that into our team.

You can play without a trequartista and not play a 3-man defence.

My biggest problem is that we do not have 3 really strong CBs like we did last season, we have 2 good ones and 3 average ones.

(IMG:http://this11.com/boards/abDtbZRaca.jpg)

Well? I'd say it looks good enough. It just needs practice and dedication from each player.

I like that one

[Rossoneri7]

(IMG:http://this11.com/boards/abDtbZRaca.jpg)

Well? I'd say it looks good enough. It just needs practice and dedication from each player.

Abate and DeS given the flanks, with no muscle to cover? Although an 3-man front line is spectacular on paper, I still think a little tweaking to allow cover for the FBs and support to the flanks by ball winners and runners.

[X-Offender]

Abate and DeS given the flanks, with no muscle to cover?

De Jong is not muscle for you?

[Rossoneri7]

De Jong is not muscle for you?

The way I see it, the midfield is not strong enough. And to answer your question, yes he is muscle but not enough to cover. As if he drifts wide to cover, he will expose the backline.

Two holding midfielders would be more effective. Principle idea being to provide cover for the back-line and flanks, hence at least two muscle players.

[KillerMax]

The way I see it, the midfield is not strong enough. And to answer your question, yes he is muscle but not enough to cover. As if he drifts wide to cover, he will expose the backline.

Two holding midfielders would be more effective. Principle idea being to provide cover for the back-line and flanks, hence at least two muscle players.

Yes, two defensive runners is one philosophy, but the modern midfielder can be more than just "hustle".

Montolivo De Jong Boateng can work in a midfield 3 as both De Jong and Boateng are combative players. No matter how attacking minded Boateng is, there is no doubt he is plenty muscle and running. With Montolivo adding dynamism and a touch of intelligent creativity to the trio.

We've used:

Kaka
Seedorf Gattuso
Pirlo

To great effect before and does takes good tactics and team cohesion to pull it off. Which brings me to our current state. It doesn't matter what formation we use or how we use any players at this point, the team lacks an identity and plays with no real plan on the field. It's painful to watch and Allegri seems oblivious or powerless to change. Whereas Ibrahimovic saved the day last season, El Shaarawy's flare is pulling the weight this time. Not entirely successfully and not without reason. Something more fundamental is at play here and it's not player Y or player X.

[Rossoneri7]

Yes, two defensive runners is one philosophy, but the modern midfielder can be more than just "hustle".

Montolivo De Jong Boateng can work in a midfield 3 as both De Jong and Boateng are combative players. No matter how attacking minded Boateng is, there is no doubt he is plenty muscle and running. With Montolivo adding dynamism and a touch of intelligent creativity to the trio.

We've used:

Kaka
Seedorf Gattuso
Pirlo

To great effect before and does takes good tactics and team cohesion to pull it off. Which brings me to our current state. It doesn't matter what formation we use or how we use any players at this point, the team lacks an identity and plays with no real plan on the field. It's painful to watch and Allegri seems oblivious or powerless to change. Whereas Ibrahimovic saved the day last season, El Shaarawy's flare is pulling the weight this time. Not entirely successfully and not without reason. Something more fundamental is at play here and it's not player Y or player X.

Great post ... Yes team lacks identity, but I believe we need to reinforce protection on our defensive line.

That midfield of Kaka, Seedorf, Gattuso and Pirlo had a backline of Nesta, Costacurta, Maldini, Cafu, Stam, etc ... Compared to our current defense, Mexes/Zapata ... I think you get my point here.


On paper, X-Off's formation looks very interesting. But I beg to question, how effective is it on the field of play?