Milan approach 10th place Chievo Verona on Sunday at the Bentegodi, hoping to not let off-field distractions from the media alter their mentality.
After the failed experiment of the 4-3-1-2 earlier in the season, and the recently stagnant 4-4-2, it appears that manager Siniša Mihajlović will once again make an adjustment to his tactical setup on Sunday. With captain Riccardo Montolivo on the shelf battling injury and M’Baye Niang out indefinitely, it’s likely that Milan will field a 4-3-3 formation in hopes of combating Chievo and creating more fluent football.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, here is how the rossoneri could line up tomorrow:
Throughout the course of the season, the two-striker setup has worked fairly well for the club. Carlos Bacca has bagged 13 goals, but in recent weeks, has struggled to get on the ball. This mini funk of his started against Napoli last month where the Colombian managed to touch the ball 13 times, via Who Scored, in a 1-1 draw. He has also failed to score in his last 4 matches through all competitions, which is deeply concerning given the scarcity of attacking threats the club has. By reverting to the 4-3-3, Giacomo Bonaventura should be able to get back into form, while also helping Bacca become more involved and see more consistent touches in the final third.
With the three-man midfield of Kucka-Bertolacci-Poli, Milan should be able to do a little more in the attack. Kucka will still be able to dribble around and roam into a more forward role. Let “The Tank” be his usual self and make marauding runs and cause fits for the opposition. The Slovakian will need to assist defensively if Luca Antonelli makes those runs forward. Too often we are seeing Bonaventura exhaust himself by trekking deep down the left side into a defensive role which, while not the worst thing, is hampering his ability to be the playmaker this side desperately craves down the stretch. Jack needs to stay forward and let Antonelli, who’s been slacking a bit on his defensive duties, limit Chievo from breaking on the counter.
This formation could enable Andrea Bertolacci to finally establish himself under Mihajlović. Last season at Genoa, he was able to plunge into the attack and showcase his offensive ability, scoring six times to partner 8 assists.
If there is ever a match for Bertolacci to step up and prove his worth – at least a bit of it – Sunday would be the time. With Montolivo out and options limited, the former Roma man must make a statement here. Personally, I think he will be given more freedom to push forward and let Andrea Poli be the “grinder’ in the midfield. Poli does not obtain the most impressive skillset, but he does work extremely hard and this could be key should Mihajlović allow Kucka and Bertolacci do create.
It will be interesting to see how Mihajlović’s potential switch to a 4-3-3 effects the performances of a few. Hopefully, by altering the formation, Bacca, Bonaventura and others can find their form once again because the club is approaching “must-win” mode and their is no margin for error.
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