Calabria back director, the movements of the Reijnders-Loftus-Cheek couple, the construction that starts from Maignan: this is how Pioli remade the Rossoneri
Milan, champions of Italy, climbed to the highest peak of Serie A clinging to the shoulders of Kessie, playmaker of physique and insertion. The one who reached the Champions League semi-final last year relied on Tonali’s soul and Leao’s talent. This year it has evolved again; it no longer leans to the left, on Rafa’s side: the transfer market and Pioli have added weight to the right. He no longer relies solely on Bennacer’s direction, but has expanded the methods of construction; he does not leave Giroud with full responsibility for the penalty area, but he has found a number of accomplices in the goal. The new ideas, at least judging by the first 270′ of the season, are successful: against Bologna it was a insertion by Reijnders that split the game. The quick exchanges of Pulisic and Loftus-Cheek were decisive against Turin: no longer midfielders but central commandos. Against Roma Pioli managed to surprise the Olimpico with Calabria, right-back for ten seasons in the team. Yet, in a whole new guise: from full back to central game builder, added playmaker alongside Krunic. The last of the “piolates”: in the past, in addition to Kessie attacking midfielder, there had been Kalulu invented as a central defender, Theo a left-wing sprinter in turn moved to the centre, Tonali on the contrary moved wide to the right, and then again Ibrahimovic as a playmaker offensive, Diaz no longer 10 but 7, even Maignan assist-man taking advantage of the axis with Leao and the rest of the team massing in the middle. Not a coincidence, in short, but a tactical intuition.
INSPIRATION
—
For the latest AC Milan drawing Pioli was inspired by the greatest contemporary painter, Pep Guardiola. The job entrusted to Calabria two nights ago recalls the tasks that had been entrusted to Stones in the City, from winger to central manager. The insertions of Reijnders and Loftus-Cheek, two new additions already perfectly integrated, exploit the spaces opened up by the work of the wingers who widen the field, Leao on one side and Pulisic on the other. Pep’s City accompanied Gundogan and De Bruyne in goal by taking advantage of very wide wingers, from Mahrez to Foden or Bernardo Silva and Grealish. Thus Guardiola counted on four men to attack behind Haaland. Pioli does the same: Giroud is supported by as many between wingers and midfielders. And Hernandez can be added to the bill: Theo chooses whether to stay and defend Leao’s incursions or participate in the attacking assault, on the left or by centralizing.
construction
—
Pioli explained it this way after beating Roma at the Olimpico and giving continuity to the first two successes of the season. The new Milan remains difficult to read for all the opponents: “We want to build with Maignan plus five players. Then whether they are 4+1, 3+2 or 2+3 doesn’t count. The boys know how to read the spaces and know how to behave against who they have in front of them. At the Olimpico we fixed Calabria further inside the pitch and gave Theo more chances to play his game”. Against a variable Milan it is difficult to predict: and the storm has often broken out in the opposing areas. The data confirms: compared to last season, Milan attacks more and gets to shoot on goal more frequently. For a team looking for a modern and international game, which also allows them to attack Europe, it is more than a first step.
jolly leao
—
Pioli had complained about the lack of alternatives in the face of more closed defenses, and the club gave him the keys to open them. Pioli again: “I didn’t suggest names to the club but roles and characteristics. One-on-one wingers, with individual plays that could open up the most blocked defences. And then insertion midfielders”. It is clear that all tests, schemes and studies can be distorted by Leao’s genius. Rafa is instinct, but instinct can also be directed and Pioli did it. The overhead kick was magical, but being there was a clear indication from the coach. A trick revealed: “Rafa has to move a lot, once long, once inside, once against. With Roma he was found in the area with a cross from the opposite side: sometimes he forgets to go”. From now on, he will remember.
© REPRODUCTION RESERVED