How Filippo Inzaghi Can Best Utilize AC Milan's Squad to Climb Serie A

There's no doubt that Milan's squad is talented enough for a top-five finish in Serie A.

Despite the parity at the top of the table, the Rossoneri have enough weapons to climb up from mid-table anonymity and bring back European competition to the San Siro.

Unfortunately, several positions have been unsettled.

So far, the biggest problem is in the back line. Filippo Inzaghi seems to experiment with the centre-backs on a weekly basis. Alex's injuries have meant that the ex-PSG veteran hasn't been able to truly integrate himself in the squad and form a partnership with anyone else at the back.

For the first time this season, we saw Philippe Mexes get a start against Sampdoria. Previously, Mexes had been shunned by Inzaghi in favor of Daniele Bonera, Cristian Zapata or Adil Rami. Unfortunately, using Bonera as a left-back didn't quite work out.

Bonera received a red card for the second time this season, further proving that his future in the squad should be extremely limited.

So, how can Inzaghi best utilize this squad to maximize their performance on the pitch?

For starters, going with a set defense would help. As it stands, the best back four seems to include Ignazio Abate, Rami, Alex and Mattia De Sciglio as the left-back.

Zapata is too error-prone in possession despite his pace, which is often a welcome attribute when the opposition tries a counter-attack. Abate is having his best season at Milan, so his spot as the featured right-back is cemented in place.

If Alex can stay healthy, he and Rami should be a solid pairing and also provide a bit of an aerial threat from the set-piece position.

Next up is the midfield. Due to Riccardo Montolivo's leg injury, the squad has sorely missed a creative inspiration in the center of the park. The only mainstay has been Nigel de Jong, whose role is very important, as he plays right in front of the defense and often cuts out passing lanes with pinpoint precision.

Sulley Muntari at times offers a goal threat when he ventures forward, but he's far too careless when in possession and is easily dispossessed. Andrea Poli has taken on a jack-of-all-trades position, excelling in no particular role.

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Now that Marco van Ginkel is healthy, he must be given a serious opportunity to show what he can offer as a midfielder. Van Ginkel's passing ability should help Milan, especially with the forward line begging for an accurate long ball into space that they can work with.

In the attack, three roles need to be occupied. Keisuke Honda seems to be the clear choice in the right wing. He's also the team's best free-kick taker, so he offers a dual threat when he's playing, aside from the goals he has scored this season in open play.

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Stephan El Shaarawy finally broke the voodoo against Sampdoria, scoring his first goal since 622 days prior. It was a fine effort, as El Shaarawy's direct run at the defense ended with him finding a small gap to unleash a beautiful curling effort from just outside the box. Needless to say, he should be the starting left-winger.

The striker position is where it gets a bit confusing. Fernando Torres and Jeremy Menez have taken turns operating as either the No. 9 or the false No. 9. Forget Giampaolo Pazzini; his role in the team has now been reduced to garbage-time minutes or rare Coppa Italia time.

Both Torres and Menez have been wildly inconsistent since coming over in the summer and offer a completely different look to the side when they're playing. If Menez can try to play in a more direct fashion rather than dribbling himself into a wall when he's in possession, then Milan should continue using him as a starter, with Torres coming off the bench depending on the situation.

Needless to say, the January transfer window will hopefully be a time when Adriano Galliani and Co. will address the several weaknesses on the roster.

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