Month: April 2026

The 4-3-3 was abandoned following a the humiliation versus Juventus. The 3-5-2 returned and a mostly lackluster Milan managed to eek out a win at Verona. Leao and the attacking phase were mostly uninspiring barring the Portuguese’s assist to Rabiot for the only goal of the week 33 game. The team is considered somewhat safe for a top four and Champions League spaces but points are needed to ensure the stated aim and European riches return to the San Siro next season.

The lneup didn’t hold many surprises last weekend and it is ot expected to do this week either. Athekame was a somewhat unexpected starter but Saelemaekers’ form since extending his contract has been mediocre to poor and he only appeared as a sub at Verona. The Belgian is expected to start versus Juventus, if for nothing else other than superior experience. Fofana, Modric, Rabiot and Bartesaghi will complete the midfield five. For the same reasons as before Allegri is expected to keep faith in Leao and Pulisic up front. Nkunku and Fullkrug have not shown much to inspire confidence and Gimenez hasn’t really gotten much time since returning from injury to pick up any possible form. Whispers that there will be another “revolution” this coming summer with Leao an exit candidate. While changes – and of course strengthening – may be needed another so called revolution or perhaps year zero should be absolutely avoided. A constant player turnover is costly, not to mention the possibility of a new coach should Allegri leave. The latter seems unlikely even though some reports talk as if the Italy national team coaching job is very much Allegri’s to take. In the back Gabbia has shown to be a solid starter and while De Winter had many good weeks he perhaps need the bench time. Recent new father Pavlovic and Tomori are set to be the starting defenders.

Juventus have improved under Luciano Spalletti and made their way to European places. Dusan Vlahovic could be off the bench for the Old Lady.

Visit the forums to follow this match and everything Milan.

The return to a 4-3-3 backfired in embarrassing fashion. The 3-5-2 had failed to provide any offence and it was thought returning Leao and Puilisic to a more natural wider role will free them to create. Indeed it is still true that Leao especially is a winger much more than a forward. In any case the attacking hope did not arrive but more surprisingly, may be shockingly, a 4-3-3 resulted in a broken defensive phase. Midfielders and defenders who have certainly spent more of their career playing in a 4-3-3 rather than a 3-5-2 seemed lost. This is concerning but Allegri and Milan do not have time to waste and with a top four place under threat a 3-5-2 is very likely to return.

Gabbia has recovered and should be a welcome return to a back three, Tomori should regain his spot along side Pavlovic. The more often used middle five of Bartesaghi, Rabiot, Modric, Fofana and Saelemaekers will likely start but at least two of the five are not exactly in their best form. Ricci has not provided much evidence of being a better alternative for midfield and Jashari is more of an unknown at this point of the season. It is reported that Allegri will retain faith with Leao and Pulisic up front. This is perhaps not a surprise because neither of Nkunku, Gimenez or Fullkrug provide any guarantees. The latter is very likely to be returned to West Ham after the season ends. The chances of Milan redeeming the €5 million purchase option are fading fast.

Verona are tied for last with Pisa. I Gialloblu are almost certainly going down to Serie B. On paper this is a good match up for Milan but history tells a different story.

Visit the forums to follow this match and everything Milan.

Another loss dashed the dim hopes of catching Inter for the scudetto but beyond the unlikely hope is the growing realization that Allegri’s team was showing its limitations. It has been often repeated that the thin squad built on purpose in the summer of 2025 brings with it dangers. Having no European commitments allowed the squad to be only 23 man strong. Regardless of the 23 being enough or not the make up of the squad was something akin to unbalanced with only the midfield deep. The likes of Jashari and Ricci have struggled for midfield minutes eventhough the center forward position features only Gimenez and Fullkrug as true members. Nkunku and more certainly Pulisic and Leao should not and have shown repeatedly that that they are not the best fit as target men. The Napoli loss, mainly due to a lapse of concentration at the back rather than any of the above, only highlighted the need for more actual forwards and the obvious limitations of playing a 3-5-2 with the likes Leao and Pulisic up front. Indeed neither of the two started the game but came on later and as is happening more often Milan closed the game playing more of a 4-3-3.

The 4-3-3 may finally be used from the started. Leao and Pulisic’s fitness issues have played a part in it being less of an option but the Portuguese and American are clearly better suited as wingers or support players, perhaps even more so when less than fully fit. Gimenez’s return from injury gives the team an option but Fullkrug is of course another target man ready to start. The midfield change will of course be more apparent when switching to a 4-3-3. Wing backs or wider midfielders will give way to a more central three of Modric, Rabiot and Fofana. The back will require only two of Tomori, Gabbia, De Winter and Pavlovic. The latter two look to be more ready for now. Bartesaghi’s less than perfect cross or defensive awareness was a big part of the goal conceded to Napoli. He is still a player that deserves starts of course. Athekame looks to trusted for the right back spot.

Udinese do also play a 3-5-2 with Keinan Davis and Nicolo Zaniolo the probable starters. Kosta Runjaic’s team sit midtable with an improving recent form of only one loss in last five Serie A matches.

Visit the forums to follow this match and everything Milan.