Allegri Still Trying To Find the Right System for A.C. Milan

On match day 2 of the Champions League, Milan played out a nil-all draw with Ajax in Holland. It may only have been a draw but in the Champions League a draw away from home is a positive result. This is no different for Milan especially considering how historically the Amsterdam Arena has not been a happy hunting ground for the Rossoneri.

It was an important result in the end for Milan. But what was also important was that this result was achieved in a game where Max Allegri, Milan’s new young tactician, completely changed the team’s tactical set-up.

After Milan’s slow start in last season’s campaign then coach Leonardo made the masterstroke of adopting a 4-3-3 system and in doing so harnessing the phenomenal talents of Ronaldinho, then Milan’s best attacking option. Despite not winning any silverware and being not-so-kindly encouraged to leave at the season’s end, Leonardo’s decision proved successful.

Milan’s new coach for the current campaign, Max Allegri, seemed content to keep things similar. Given Milan’s romping start to the Serie A season after dismantling Lecce four goals to nil, it appeared like this was the right choice.

However, things did not continue in the same vain and something had to be changed.

So against Ajax, a strong and youthful side, in the intimidating atmosphere of the Amsterdam Arena, Allegri took the bold decision to experiment with a new system. Even bolder, Allegri opted to drop Ronaldinho to the bench, a clear favourite of club owner Silvio Berlusconi.  

The gamble paid off as Milan collected a point away from home and stayed on track for qualification into the next round of the Champions League. It was by no means a great performance, but the change of formation and the overall performance showed that this new system is something Milan can build upon.

But the question now is, does Allegri continue with this system or should he revert back to the more familiar 4-3-3?

With players like Robinho and Ronaldinho, playing with a trident attack certainly makes some sense. Not to mention Pato who links up very well with Ronaldinho in such a set-up.

The determining factor, however, will certainly be Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Ibra has fast become Milan’s saviour, scoring five important goals in six matches. The Swede is undoubtedly Milan’s most gifted and on form player and it is for this reason that Allegri will most likely settle on whatever formation is more suitable for the former Barcelona striker to shine.  

Therefore, it is reasonably safe to conclude that Allegri will try and continue to build upon the system he tested against Ajax. It is this system that suits Ibrahimovic more because with a strike partner up front Ibra is allowed more space to both create and score goals. It is under such a system that at Inter Ibrahimovic excelled and Allegri will understandably try and create the same conditions for him at Milan.

Similar to how Leonardo identified Ronaldinho as Milan’s best attacking option last season and subsequently altering the team to make the most of his talents, Allegri appears to be doing the same but this time building around the talents of Ibrahimovic.

The downside is that Milan does not have a natural attacking midfielder other than Seedorf, who is 35. Ronaldinho may be able to fill this role, but his age and physical condition make it hard to say. Rotating between these two players may be the answer.

But, given that the Milan midfield is the weakest link in the team with both quality and depth lacking, playing with four in the middle will help make the side look more balanced.

Not only will Ibrahimovic benefit from this change of formation, but Pato also. The young Brazilian will be the perfect partner to Ibrahimovic up front and his goal scoring abilities will surely be better served playing in a more natural striker’s role.

What Allegri decides to do in the next game remains to be seen.  But the former Cagliari boss may just start to be showing why he is considered one of the best young tacticians on the peninsula.