Between those who have already arrived and the goals still to be brought to Milanello, the Devil is shedding his skin and the coach is preparing a team capable of changing clothes frequently. Chukwueze potential tactical balance
The words of the owner would seem reassuring: “I am working tirelessly to make sure you are equipped for success”. Sender: Gerry Cardinale. Recipient: Stefano Pioli. Date: ’23-24 season rally. This is part of the message received by the coach on the day Milan got back to work. In other words, on the day when the coach felt the need to clarify some concepts already expressed in recent months: “The time has come to make some changes. I feel like the architect of a house where the structure is solid, but some areas it needs to be refurbished and revisited. We are looking for players of quality and intelligence, with whom you can also try new things from a tactical point of view”. The closure is almost a heartfelt appeal: “I think and hope that before leaving for the USA, on July 21st, there will be some other arrivals”. Never as in recent months has Pioli addressed the club directly to stimulate it – let’s put it this way – on the market. And on the other hand it must be understood, since the rose will be shaken for about a third of its elements.
verticality
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A situation with pros and cons. The disadvantage is the need to insert the new ones in the shortest possible time, the advantage is that based on who arrives you can – as the coach says – vary the tactical score. The starting point will remain the back four, which is the only department where, unless there are exits (Cage?), there is no need to intervene. Pioli also clarified Kalulu’s situation yesterday: “Full-back or central? Last year I confused him a bit. He will start as a central defender and if necessary he can play full-back”. The fulcrum of the new Milan, in the context of the usual 4-2-3-1, will be the midfielder and the midfielder. Here yes that changes, and quite a lot. Not only in names and surnames, but also in the type of players sought or already arrived. Loftus-Cheek and Reijnders are “vertical” profiles, for insertion (however not only), with an important physicality. Players with a “European” way of playing the role, it is said in these cases. Musah, another objective, has a less impressive tonnage but identical raider characteristics. In other words, it is reasonable to expect a Milan that dribbles less in the heart of the pitch, that will look more for verticalizations and that perhaps in the midfield will no longer be defeated in duels and hand-to-hand combat.
Last slot
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The trocar is still a big question mark because it’s one thing to play with Chukwueze and another without. Meanwhile, the arrival of the Nigerian would exclude that of Taremi in attack due to the last slot as a non-EU player, and on the basis of this the position of Pulisic would probably also vary: on the right without Chukwueze, in the center with him. Even the arrival of Taremi would partially change the Devil’s way of playing: the Iranian, compared to Giroud and Morata, is the center forward who would occupy the area the most. Up to now we have made considerations based on the 4-2-3-1, but the 4-3-3 is also around the corner. Pioli is thinking of it not only as a fallback or a situation of need, but also as a primary system to alternate with the 4-2-3-1. In this case the median would be strengthened, and this would make sense especially if another midfielder actually arrives at Milanello. At this point Pulisic would find space in the top right corner and the sacrificed would be the attacking midfielder. It could be the most logical tactical landing in case you don’t go to checkers with Chukwueze.
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