What do you think should be the formation that we should play this season? I think with the players we've signed there are only two logical solutions which we've already talked about.

4-2-3-1

This is my preferred choice, as I regard it a very modern and dynamic formation that integrates all the players and requires a lot of effort from them to achieve the proper balance. Given our roster, for the time being it would be:



Note that if we play like this one between Musacchio and Romagnoli will have to sit on the bench. Furthermore, when we sign another striker, Silva would eventually sit as well. The only problem is that we don't have any substitution wingers, but apparently Montella has asked for one so that might be solved soon.

3-4-2-1

Or 3-4-1-2 depending on the players. This formation became a thing once we signed Bonucci. It is also suitable because it gives players like Conti and Rodriguez less defensive duties and we won't have to renounce to our three CBs.



However, if Montella does go with a 3-man defense, then TWO between Suso, Bonaventura, Calhanoglu, André Silva and the new striker will have to sit on the bench. Personally, I'm not a big of it. I find it very outdated and defensive-minded, a formation that small clubs usually adopt to defend with more men and counterattack.

Thoughts?

Some say we've been running a 4-3-3 but if we watch what the team is doing, it clearly hasn't been.

Functioning or not, it's been a 4-1-4-1 in attack reverting to a 4-2-3-1 in defence.

Kessie plays a critical role - he supports both the DM and the bank of three - take him out and we'd lose the flexibility we have at the moment.

To answer your direct question, I just cannot see us switching to a 3 unless a particular match calls for it. And the only time we've seen it used is when closing out narrow leads or holding on for draws.

Like you say, 3 is a bit outdated but it's certainly worked for Juve in recent seasons - and Bonucci is comfortable in it. But true class knows how defend, not just what system to defend in. He will adapt to a four.

That said a four sees us sacrifice Romagnoli - don't be shocked to see him leave in January because Musacchio and Bonucci WILL be our first choice - he won't accept being the best spare defender in world football.

In midfield Monto's days are numbered. And I don't think Kessie will partner Biglia in a 2. He's much more likely to be higher up, something we seem to disagree on but which was borne out v Bayern.

Which could back up the adaptable 4-1-4-1 to 4-2-3-1 I alluded to.

Kessie played in the double pivot at Atalanta. He's the classical box-to-box mid that does both phases. No way he'll play higher up, especially since we have Hakam in that position.

Kessie is box-to-box, whether he plays in a double pivot or in a 3 man midfield, he has to be given licence to bomb up but he'll also have some defensive duties to carry out as well

I think he can easily fit into both systems

Danny, I get your point about not restricting him like Montella did against Dortmund, but he was playing him in the middle of a 3 man midfield in a holding mid role. Which made him look terrible for sure. In a double pivot the role is very different though, look at what Kante does for Chelsea for example

Okay, the 433 sucked - just don't have the personnel do play that formation, IMO.

So what formation DOES best suit the squad?

I think the 352 is a step in the right direction, but the tinkering to try and make it a 3511 (or whatever the **** that was on Sunday) NOT A GOOD IDEA.

Should the team stick with 352? Is something else better?

4-2-3-1. Nuff said.

Have we tried that one yet? I'm remembering a not-successful 433 but not a 4231 off the top of my head.

No, we haven't.

It may be worth a shot, then. It's a pity Conti got hurt (but as stated, at least we've got half decent cover for that position). Looking back up at your original post, the formation does seem to get the best players out there in positions they're good at.

I think we should either go 3-4-1-2 or 3-4-3 depending on who's starting in attack

This is also a good solution for the Kessie debacle we've found ourselves in. Kessie simply cannot be an undisputed starter. Going with a double pivot open the door to Locatelli or Montolivo, which at this point, couldn't be worse than what we saw from Kessie last Sunday

Indeed. That is the main point. We'd not only be playing a dynamic and versatile formation, but all the players would be playing in positions they're comfortable at. It's a shame Montella's never considered it. Sorta evidences his limitations as a coach.

Rumors that Gattuso will play with either 4-3-3 or 3-4-3.

I would be an advocate of the 4-2-3-1 but I just don't think Hakan has it in him to succeed on the big stage. He's proving to be a very average player, another Honda if you must.

Worse than Honda. Honda never disappeared. If he was offensively impotent, he'd at least put in a Borini like workman shift. I liked Honda.


My formation of choice is of course the 3-4-1-2 seeing as we don't have Conti and Abate is not reliable anymore. Else I'd go with a 4-3-3 too.


------Zapata---Bonucci---Romagnoli---------------
Suso-----Monto/Kessie----Biglia/Loca------RRod/Hakan
----------------------Jack--------------------------------
-----------Cutro-----------Silva-------------------------------


We could also play the 3-4-3:

------Zapata---Bonucci---Romagnoli---------------
---------------Biglia/Loca-----------------------------
Abate/Borini---------Monto/Kessie----------RRod---
----Suso---------------Silva------------------Jack-----

But I don't think this will be a good fit considering the team chemistry I've seen so far.

You can't play 3-4-2-1 with Suso and Hakan on the wings. That's a beginner's mistake, Jack. Either put proper wingbacks or don't play them at all.

If we're persisting with the 3-man defense then 3-4-3 is clearly the way to go IMO:



Otherwise, with a 4-man defense it's a bit tricky, but I'd try an offensive and perhaps presumptuous 4-2-4:



Can't say which formation would work best. This team is a complete mess right now.

Suso on the wing without full back means we are playing with 10 men. No way Suso runs back for that ball.

Yeah, which is why we're going to play 3-4-3.

I think we should still move forward with the back 3. It fits our strongest area, which is the defence and wingbacks.

The midfield needs work but I think a Biglia, Monto tandem can work also if we want an alternative to Kessie who needs to be rotated more and can't be given a sure starting spot in the team

I don't think wingbacks are our strongest suit. On the contrary, I'd say they're our weakest point. Rodriguez is not a wingback. He's a defender. The fact Montella even played him as CB tells that much. Borini is a forward invented as wingback. Abate can pull that role but let's all be honest, he's past his glory days. Conti is injured. And then there's young Calabria.

Ideally, we should be playing 4-3-3 with Biglia, Kessie and Bona in midfield, but we lack that one crucial element in attack, i.e. left attacking winger.

Borini has shown his best stuff at wingback for us and he's actually been one of the most involved players in the goals we've scored. (I was actually reading this fun fact somewhere a couple of days ago)

Rodriguez, is a FB but he's just as good at WB. And just because Montella played him in the CB position, doesn't mean it was a good idea, just like all the other times he's moved players around this season that weren't good moves

Yeah, Borini has been alright as RWB, but the point is that he's not a WB. Just like Rodriguez is simply not good enough when played in that position. He's a leftback with strong defensive traits and a great left foot.