Gattuso in the middle will NEVER work; 3:4:1:2 vs 4:3:1:2

After Istanbul there have been many calls to change the way we play. Why would 6 minutes of madness dictate a template that has worked for us successfully for three years. Well i applaud Carlo for atleast considering the change to 3.4.1.2, but I strongly believe Gattuso playing in the middle will be disastrous for Milan. I know plenty of my fellow Rossoneri in this forum are die hard Gattuso fans, and here are my reasons for why if we play a 3.4.1.2 and go with Gattuso or anybody else in the middle, we will be in trouble.

Before i go ahead with my reasons, I'm not suggessting dropping him out of the line up.

1. GATTUSO's TRANSITIONAL OFFENCE IS ATROCIOUS.

Firstly what I would like to point out is that, I'm totally against 3.4.1.2, and it doesn't suit the type of players we have in the squad. Starting from the back, obviously a three man defence will have Paolo, Stam and Nesta in the back. I believe we have the best defence in the world when we play with 4 defenders. If we have three, and we have two defenders (Stam and Paolo) who rely on their experience much more than their speed, we could be left begging, when we play against speedy wingers and forwards. Back to Gennarino, I agree this guy leaves it all on the filed, and he is our best ball winner. But Rino's passing is horrible. In today's football you just can't have defensive midfielders who are primarily ball winners and break up attacks. Defensive midfielders also have to be technically and tactically aware that when the team has possession, completing passes and intiating quick attacks is imperative. Gattuso's passing ability leaves a lot to be desired and his long range passing is simply crap. I believe if Rino is put in the middle he will really slow down our attack.

To the numerous people who will disagree with me about Rino's productivity in the middle.For argument sake i also see the other side why Rino would be effective in the middle. And the reason is Pirlo. In Pirlo we have a genious(Falcao) setting up the attack. And i have to point out that Pirlo has improved defensively over the past season. But when Pirlo is harrassed in the middle as done in the past by players like Appiah, Tacchinardi, Emerson, this guys crumbles. If we have Rino in the middle there will be more freedom for Pirlo to generate attack. Nevertheless, this reason alone does not warrant change in tactics by sticking Rino in the middle.

2. 4.3.1.2 is a tried and true template that has won trophies and kept us in the hunt for three years now. Why change it? Our system suits our players to the core. Who can argue that the factor to a strong side is a strong defence? and the defence has proven to be our bedrock throughout our success. With Rino on the right hand side of midfield, there has always been a constant cover for much attacking cafu.

Lastly, Rino is the heart and soul of the team, and he always leaves blood, sweat and tears on the pitch. However, his heart and soul does not belong in the middle of the pitch.