Wow. Quite the run of games Milan is on, capped by back-to-back blankings to Inter and Lazio to the tune of 7-0. In light of this, we’re not going to do a ratings post, because…why? If you want to see a bunch of 3-4-5s handed out there are plenty of sites where you that. Plus, you don’t need us to tell you what you saw.
What we are going to do is share a conversation Lisi and I had about this where I took his chair from his On the Mic with Mike series and interviewed HIM. Here is the very lightly edited interview:
gillis15: Wow. That was bad. Lots to cover but let’s start here: If you had to pick only one thing to fix after this loss, what do you fix?
Michael Lisi: Gimme a 4-3-3 with either Pobega or Vranckx in midfield and probably Diaz at RW. Kalulu at RB. Either Thiaw or Kjaer next to Tomori. That should stop the bleeding.
gillis15: I have some thoughts on changing the formation but first let me ask you this: Leão didn’t thrive under the 4-3-3 before Pioli switched to the 4-2-3-1, what would be different this time? Feels like switching from one problem (bleeding goals) to the next (and even more stagnant offense)
Michael Lisi: My hope would be that by having a RW that can be more offensive it takes a little pressure off Leão. With Giroud and Theo both being a little tired after the WC everything is falling to Leao and it’s wearing him down. Also, I would think having a real LCM/mezzala would give him and Theo someone else to play off of without worrying about who tracks back. That LCM would also give Leao more freedom to move around. He’s had some success over the years drifting centrally or even to the right. Him popping up in different areas makes him that much more dangerous
gillis15: My worry with a 4-3-3 is that Saelemaekers, Messias or even Brahim, as you suggested, aren’t any better than Suso at banging in crosses and so we’re back to every center forward struggling due to a lack of service. If that’s the case then I don’t know what or why it would be better over on the left for Leão since defenses could just overload his side. But let me share my thoughts on what I would fix…
With Maignan and now Tomori are out I think the exact lineup selections matter less. I think Milan is going to have to sit back until Maignan is back. Tata is just too detrimental to the high press philosophy. If they switch to a 4-3-3 then I think a more defensive approach is that much more important because they’re going to lose a playmaker, most likely Diaz for a MF, and they won’t have any quality possession when you combine this with the problems I just described regarding Saelemaekers and Messias. I can’t believe I’m going to say this…time for some type of Allegri-ball?…Milan might just need to defend, defend, defend, and then counter, counter, counter
Michael Lisi: I agree that the first thing has to be to focus on the back end and tighten things up. If that means a low block and packing things in that’s fine. The 4-2-3-1 of leaving the FBs alone on islands and pressing high needs to be put to the side for now. It’s run it’s course and we just don’t have the pieces to do it any longer. How that looks with Theo tired, Maignan hurt and now Tomori possibly injured is tough to figure right now though. Back to the drawing board for Pioli,
gillis15: Oh I like that thinking. Do you think there’s a way to play with a back 3, provide them cover, and still get something resembling an attack with some teeth? My issue with a back 3 is it’s difficult for me to see Leão thriving because the only spot I can see him in would be in a front 2 and he’s just not as effective centrally. Can you see a back 3 working? It’s what Pioli has tried when not playing a 4-2-3-1
Michael Lisi: The 3-5-2 or 3-5-1-1 is the only alternative we have really seen from Pioli so far. It seems to be the only trick his has up his sleeve. Who’s available for the back 3 we will see. It’s also interesting to see how Theo fits in that plan if we see it as a regular formation. It would also be interesting see who Leao partners with up there. Him underneath Giroud or Origi perhaps? I’m not sure it’s the best system for Leao, but giving him that much freedom and space to operate could be terrifying for opposing defenses.
gillis15: Ok, I could keep talking about this forever but let’s get into some other areas: the defense has been anything but solid this season and it’s easy to see that losing Maignan is a big part of that. What do you think is causing this dropoff in play? Is it merely not having the last line of the defense able to stop shots with any frequency or efficiency?
Michael Lisi: We better hurry. I’m circling around to acceptance! It’s confidence I think. Tata sucks. I tried defending him for a while but that’s about as fruitless as his goalkeeping skills. First it was defending shots on set pieces, then it was headers off set pieces and now it’s basically everything. He’s a train wreck. To answer the question, that has totally killed the confidence of the defense. The whole team really. It’s no excuse for the poor defending we’ve seen but it also doesn’t help. They are scared to even concede a shot because they know it’s going in.
Good goalkeepers on good teams don’t have to make 20 saves a game. Most shots are stopped before they even happen. They usually have to make 2 or 3 big stops. Tata isn’t even doing that. His save percentage is well below 40%. The final nail for me was the ball that squirted through him to the back post. As an isolated incident maybe that’s bad luck, but he’s just plain bad.
gillis15: I agree with all of that AND I think an added component is how this cascades down the line. In some of my ratings posts before the WC I tried to describe this, where it wasn’t simply playing tentatively but playing out of position and compromising the shape. For example, when at its best Kalulu and Tomori are high up, pressing, jumping passing lanes, and not allowing possession. This allows the double pivot to fill space and break up play. But when it’s not working, maybe Kalulu and/or Tomori sit back a little or Kalulu shifts some to his right to help cover for the RB. Now there’s a gap between them and Tonali and Bennacer and the opponent fills that space and breaks up their shape and yada-yada-yada, Tatarusanu is picking the ball out out the back of the net.
Michael Lisi: Yup and yup. We are trying to run the same thing back with different players and also the league knows what we are doing now. I can’t help but think the WC was a missed opportunity to tinker with things and try some new players in new spots. All those friendlies and we seem to have learned nothing.
gillis15: On the attacking side, we’ve all spoken about the lack of service from the wings here and more recently, Leão (and Theo) drifting inward and Milan losing their width. Is this simply what’s happening or is there more to Milan’s suddenly ineffective attack?
Michael Lisi: The service to Giroud has been cut off since the midfield and AM spots are scattered. They are all running in 5 different directions trying to do way to much. Having Leao and Giroud with our current midfield is like having a Ferrari with the engine of a 79 Ford Pinto. It’s not so much those guys in the midfield aren’t good just the wrong parts for the car (insert picture of lime green 79 Pinto here). Once that midfield is solved a lot of other tumblers click into place.
gillis15: Haha! Ford Pinto. It wouldn’t surprise me if Milan burst into flames with even the most minor of bumps in the form of adversity.
Your description of all of the pieces misfiring is a great way to put it. I almost think of it as a Jenga puzzle. Last season there were some misshaped blocks but they were towards the top (CAM/RW) so the deficiencies could be tolerated. But now the misshaped piece is on the bottom and the integrity of the whole thing is compromised. I don’t know that it’s going to get resolved until Maignan gets back without a massive restructuring (i.e., new formation) because while I want a serviceable backup keeper, I don’t think that’s where the little money Milan has to spend will be spent.
Michael Lisi: If there’s a silver lining here I think it’s it. That and of course getting Maignan back. Having him back will bring a sense of confidence we sorely lack. And when he makes that first big save? It will be like a shot of viagra for everyone. Fans included!
gillis15: Last question: we’re in the January mercato and we all know Milan doesn’t have Chelsea’s war chest. If you had to pick one position you could upgrade which is it? Do you have anyone in mind, who’s a realistic target, that you’d like to see come in?
Michael Lisi: Lemme channel my inner Galliani…
Michael Lisi: Ommmmm….
Michael Lisi: Ommmmm….
Michael Lisi: The team is set. For anyone to come in then someone must go. De Keteleare is just like a new signing! As are both Maignan and Zlatan as they achieve fitness.
Seriously, I would give my next born child for one name: Sofyan Amrabat. Plug him in as DM in this group and a blind man could see how well this group would click.
gillis15: I think that’s as good a place to end it. Thank you, Mr. Lisi. *tips hat*
Michael Lisi: Thank you. *tips hat back*
Lisi and I wanted to keep going but life got in the way. What do you all think about what was said/covered above? Anything you think we missed or want to add? Please share below and if you haven’t yet, don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a new post!
Forza Milan
gillis15