Ancelotti announces change in midfield...

So realistically, what would our line up be?

And Ambro was never a starter last year, whos he gonna bench if it all happens.


I think the change that will happen is only that Carlo will ask Ambro to permanently be a centre back so that Milan dont need to splash the cash. I think he'll be a good player there IF he can control his reckless tackles and avoid being booked to damn many times.


If Carlo is talking about "inventing" something new altogether, I have a feeling it will be as famous as Pirlo's transformation where now everybody calls his position "The Pirlo".

Next, "The Ambro"? Haha

I don't think Ancelloti will make that many changes... of course it will have variations, but basically, I'd say:

Dida, Cafu, Nesta, Maldini, Jankulovsky, Pirlo, Gattuso, Seedorf, Kaka, Sheva, Gilardino.

I am glad this topic does not stir up the same kind of debate as on XT

This has turned out to be an interesting thread actually and I must admit some good points have been made.

Although I agree with trini that Ambro could be used in a role where he moves into the defence to make it kind of like a four man defence. However, I don't think this will happen for two reasons. The first is if Ambro is playing and moves back into defence and he's the only holding midfielder on the pitch, then the defensive structure of the midfield suffers as we have no real ball winners. However, if there is another ball winner (i.e. Gattuso) on the pitch, the team lacks a key element to the game, which is controlling possession, as these two together usually result in us allowing the opponents attack us without holding the ball (or should I say without being able to).

Now Warro also has some interesting points too. I like the idea of Pirlo moving forward more and Seedorf being deeper, but I'm not quite sure how much it would benefit us from the current setup. You see, while Pirlo may be able to get us some good play in attacking areas, he will need to use a lot of energy to perform the role and move forward and backwards like that, which I fear him doing as it doesn't suit him too well. Seedorf can pass well and has good composure and control, but I don't think he will be as effective as Pirlo at building attacks and controlling play, which he'll have to be able to do if Pirlo is expected to move higher up the pitch when we attack.

Personally, I would like Kaka to change his role. Whilst atm he plays as a part of the attacking trident, I would like to see him move into a deeper and wider role. With him playing a deeper role on one side and Seedorf on the other, we can try to solidify the defensive structure more. The aim would be to try and increase the pressure on opponents more and protect wide areas better (a weakness atm I believe).

Anyway, the team would look a bit like this...

----------Dida--------------
Cafu--Nesta-Maldini--Janku--
-------Gattuso-Pirlo---------
--Seedorf---------Kaka------
----------------Sheva-------
---------Gila----------------

Kaka and Seedorf would be given freedom to come central in attacking moves, but would be expected to play out wide too. When Janku or Cafu attack, it may be necessary for the to stay a little deeper to provide some cover. I moved Seedorf over to the right as it will allow Rino to stay more central, as Kaka is naturally more attacking than Seedorf, meaning situations may arise where the midfield may look like...

----------Rino--Pirlo
--Seedorf------------------
---------------Kaka--------

It may not seem it, but what I'm pretty much suggesting is Milan go to a formation similar to Sacchi's Milan.

Now, I was planning to move onto what I think Carlo is actually planning, but I'll leave that till next time as this post is longer than expected

That's the same line up I gave you... you really got into detail, we all expect the same.

Kaka' will remain trequartista, Ancelotti will not invent anything, maybe Ambro as CB only.

If everything works as well as it does, why change it? Just add a new level with Gila and Janko.

Originally Posted by ACMILAN1983

This has turned out to be an interesting thread actually and I must admit some good points have been made.

Although I agree with trini that Ambro could be used in a role where he moves into the defence to make it kind of like a four man defence. However, I don't think this will happen for two reasons. The first is if Ambro is playing and moves back into defence and he's the only holding midfielder on the pitch, then the defensive structure of the midfield suffers as we have no real ball winners. However, if there is another ball winner (i.e. Gattuso) on the pitch, the team lacks a key element to the game, which is controlling possession, as these two together usually result in us allowing the opponents attack us without holding the ball (or should I say without being able to).

Now Warro also has some interesting points too. I like the idea of Pirlo moving forward more and Seedorf being deeper, but I'm not quite sure how much it would benefit us from the current setup. You see, while Pirlo may be able to get us some good play in attacking areas, he will need to use a lot of energy to perform the role and move forward and backwards like that, which I fear him doing as it doesn't suit him too well. Seedorf can pass well and has good composure and control, but I don't think he will be as effective as Pirlo at building attacks and controlling play, which he'll have to be able to do if Pirlo is expected to move higher up the pitch when we attack.

Personally, I would like Kaka to change his role. Whilst atm he plays as a part of the attacking trident, I would like to see him move into a deeper and wider role. With him playing a deeper role on one side and Seedorf on the other, we can try to solidify the defensive structure more. The aim would be to try and increase the pressure on opponents more and protect wide areas better (a weakness atm I believe).

Anyway, the team would look a bit like this...

----------Dida--------------
Cafu--Nesta-Maldini--Janku--
-------Gattuso-Pirlo---------
--Seedorf---------Kaka------
----------------Sheva-------
---------Gila----------------

Kaka and Seedorf would be given freedom to come central in attacking moves, but would be expected to play out wide too. When Janku or Cafu attack, it may be necessary for the to stay a little deeper to provide some cover. I moved Seedorf over to the right as it will allow Rino to stay more central, as Kaka is naturally more attacking than Seedorf, meaning situations may arise where the midfield may look like...

----------Rino--Pirlo
--Seedorf------------------
---------------Kaka--------

It may not seem it, but what I'm pretty much suggesting is Milan go to a formation similar to Sacchi's Milan.

Now, I was planning to move onto what I think Carlo is actually planning, but I'll leave that till next time as this post is longer than expected

i like this idea too..kind of reminds me of brazil 1994.

yeah but we need a ball winner, thats the whole point of the arguement.(fools may have been a bit strong warro)

gattuso is not in that team to attack. the team needs to have balance otherwise you end up being like real madrid.

regardless, gattuso is a better ball winner than ambro. ambro maybe be technically better, but he won`t run and fight till the very end. in a team full of fancy "dans" (i mean no di-respect to pirlo, kaka etc..) gattuso is needed, his inclusion also ablances the team..remember we were all moaning at how we don`t keep leads..we need at least one gattuso type player in that team and as a bal winner he`s better than ambro.

with gattuso you know he`ll fight to the very end, like carragher of liverpool or keane of man utd.. they never give up, always scrapping and fighting..oppostion players hat them because of there never say die attitude.

how many times have you seen gattusos passion explode on the pitch? we`ve all seen it many times, its uplifting for the players and uplifting for the fans to see someone who is so passionate, someone with a "never say die" attitude...thats what gattuso brings to this team.

he is probably the most under-rated player in that team, he doesn`t get the respect in italy as he would probably do in england alex ferguson knows a thing or too about football and they were citing gattuso as a repalcement for keane.

keane, gravesen etc..are not in the team to attack. there in there to defend and win the ball.

every team in the world needs a gattuso and we should be very lucky that we have him.

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Last edited by MATNAT : 21-07-2005 at 05:31.


fools may have been a bit strong? who were u referring to? the answer is we will not know until the season starts..

i agree gattuso's main task is to win the ball not to attack, i dont expect him to score goals or dribble pass 2 or 3 players, my only problem with him is he can not pass or cross, which is the basic skills in football! u may only notice how many balls that he won, but have u counted how many balls that he lost as well? now we got the best strike force in the world, we must maximise this weapon! how often were the attacking build up that we lost? there are some players who can replace him who can contribute to both defence and attack, such as: ambrosini, vogel, seedorf. probably rino can emerge in starting 11 occasionally depending on the oppositions, but definitely not in majority of the games! overall, i think ambrosini(i dont have to explain what he can do) is underrated, gattuso is overrated!

yes the similarity among gattuso, carragher and keane is their passions and never say die attitude and i AGREE every team need such players, but the the difference between gattuso and carragher/keane is rino is awfully one dimensional and carragher/keane are versatile(i can elaborate this further if necessary).

actually i am more than happy to accept ferguson's offer for gattuso and use that money to buy julio baptista or maresca!

u mentioned that gattuso's explosion of emotion uplifts the teams.. unfortunately that did not happen in CL final in istanbul!

i respect your opinion, and i just express mine.. if there is disagreement , thats fine.. it makes the world goes around, doesnt it?

Rando, of course every opinnion deserves respect... no problem.

Just one question, did you really mean Maresca (as in Enzo Maresca, Juventus) to replace Gatusso?

That's like using a FIAT to replace a FERRARI...

fact is ambrosini has been at the club for almost 10 years now and he still cannot command a regular place for milan. even before gattuso came ambrosini was never considered a regular.

at best hes an average holding midfielder. he always seems like one of those players who looks busy if though he aint.

i also remember reading an article based on the milan labs mental and physical tests.
guess who was the best all rounder out of those tests? yes you guessed it folks it was gattuso.

some of you seem to forget how much gattuso has improved during his years at milan, that has been well documented.

imagine if gattuso wasn`t in that team do you really think that if his place was taken by ambrosini, they`d be where they are today?

and rando..you really want maresca? if ever there was a player who was over-rated he`d be one of the first names on the team sheet.

and as for baptista, whats he going to bring to that milanese midfield? more cover for the defence? stay back and protect us aginst counter attacks?
milan doesn`t need stratergies to build attacks what it needs is stratergies to defend and protect leads.

I.M.O sumed it up best when he suggested that there are people who think that the best team for milan would only consist of dida and nesta with the rest of the team made up of attacking midfielders and strikers...remember folks this AIN`T fantasy football. (despite what florentino perez and roman abramovic might tell you)

(now please let me get back to my knitting)

Here is what I hope and think will happen. Milan will play with two different formations this season, 3-4-1-2 and 4-3-1-2 depending on opposition, injuries and and the individual form of each player.

3-4-1-2:
--------- Gila - Sheva
------------ Kaka
- Janky - Pirlo - Gattuso - Cafu
--- Maldini - Nesta - Stam

The 3-4-1-2 is likely our strongest formation on paper. 1) It allows for Maldini, Nesta and Stam to play at the same time 2) It allows for Jankulowski and Cafu to act as true wingers, not being as concerned with moving back to defend. It will definately allow the attack, which last year only came from the center and the right to broaden, forcing defences to cover both sides, hence also giving us more oppurtinities down the center 3) It allows Gattuso to play more centrally, where he really belongs. 4) Its a very flexible solution, it can easily be transferred into a 5-3-2 in a defending situation or a 3-2-3-2 in attack.

I don't agree with the notion that a DM should move down to defend as a CB. Good CB pairings need to evolve over time, thats why Nesta-Stam and Nesta-Maldini worked last year and not Maldini-Stam. Keep the three defenders together and move either one or both of the wingers down to cover a flank/flanks.

4-3-1-2
--------- Gila
---------------- Sheva
------------ Kaka
Janky/Seedorf
-------------------- Gattuso
------------ Pirlo
-------------------------Cafu
Maldini - Nesta - Stam

The formation that worked very well last year, but lacked on edge on the left side of the midfield. The formation is by nature assymetrical as Cafu is expected to venture higher up than the LB and Janky/Seedorf is expected to contribute more to the attack than Gattuso. Continuity should not easily be discarded, even if I personally prefer the 3-4-1-2

Honestly, this is what I want to see



--------------------Dida-------------------

Cafu-----------Nesta---Maldini---Jankulovski

------Gattuso--------Pirlo-------------------

-----------------------------Seedorf---

-------------------Kaká------------------

-------Shevchenko------Gilardino---------



So basically, no change to last season. This formation should be used againts the lesser teams. Teams hard to break. However, againts the big teams, Stam or Ambro will play instead of Janku and Pirlo.

I dont agree at all with a 3 man defense because if you take into account whos more important between Stam and Seedorf, I'd say Seedorf.

Given Jankulowskis natural tendency (and skills) to go forward, that is a pretty unbalanced formation Shevchenko7, that risks a lot in defence IMO. If we are to play with two attacking wingbacks, I would play Max in Seedorfs position.

The alternative being great cordination between the left and the right wingback, so that only one of them venture forward at the same time. But I would prefer to let them both go forward from a midfield position, being backed by a 3-man defense.

Originally Posted by Henrik

Given Jankulowskis natural tendency (and skills) to go forward, that is a pretty unbalanced formation Shevchenko7, that risks a lot in defence IMO. If we are to play with two attacking wingbacks, I would play Max in Seedorfs position.

The alternative being great cordination between the left and the right wingback, so that only one of them venture forward at the same time. But I would prefer to let them both go forward from a midfield position, being backed by a 3-man defense.

Yeah Seedorf isnt in the equation anymore. He shouldnt be when Jankulowski is playing.

Maybe if Kaladze is at left back... ok Seedorf plays.

here is food for thought... how about using shevchenko7 formation with 2 adjustments.

1. kaladze replaces seedorf

2. kaladze withdraws his role basically becoming the gattuso of the left hand side.

this would permit janku free license to bomb up the left hand flank, he wouldnt have to worry with being caught out of position because first of all there is kaladze there and secondly kaladze is comfortable playing at left back.

the formation would provide prtoection in front of the defence because both gattuso and kaladze are work horses and are strong physically. kaladze has a good first touch and has played in midfield before, he never looks uncomfortble when in possession of the ball.

it would permit the fullbacks to get forward as much as possible.

it would provide the balance and and the stability this milan team needs without changing too much.

the beauty of this is that it doesnt restrict milan attacking potential or pirlo`s and kakas creativness. pirlo is still able to play in his deep role this time being supported by kaladze and gattuso.

at any one time there could be cafu, janku, pirlo, kaka, gila and sheva attacking with gattuso, kaladze, nesta and maldini defending and providing cover.


what do you think?

why is everybody omitting Seedorf from the squad?

Of course he had a bad season but he is very, very important to us. He can do anything. Tackle, shoot, attack, defend, dribble, create.. ANYTHING.


And please read my post again, I said that formation should be used againts the lesser teams, like Inter etc...