If I may frankly disagree with a sacred monster like Sacchi, I would dare to say that his recent introduction to the Milan derby is a little confusing. Smaintains that Milan, of the two, is the team that maneuvers and relies on the collective, while Inter, on the other hand, and coincidentally on the contrary, is the one that always focuses on individual qualities. But this is an interpretation key that turns idle in the lock of anachronism. Today it’s not like that, Inter and Milan are two teams that both play European football, and paradoxically perhaps Inter even dribbles better (which however does not automatically determine the final result, of course). In short, evidently other keys to access this event are needed, we must strive to grasp the essence of the change taking place, leaving certain formulas aside. As regards Milan, for example, which is the subject of today’s tactical analysis, much still needs to be said about the effects generated in the Rossoneri attacks by the presence of two midfielders such as Loftus-Cheek and Reijnders. This is the matrix of the main innovations in Pioli’s game, which the Nerazzurri will have to pay close attention to if they want to immediately tune in to the right Milan, and not to last year’s, which they were now reading like an open book. Yes, music has really changed…
REIJNDERS E LEAO – Where once there was that feeling of ’emptiness’ and isolation around Leao and Brahim Diaz, regardless of the formations, therefore also with the 4-3-3, today Milan’s attacks have become ‘fuller’, richer in solutions. The density of the danger has grown thanks to the presence of real, complete midfielders, capable of meeting the coach’s expectations in the two phases. It was seen immediately, already on the first day against Bologna, in that ball from Pulisic to Reijnders. Here it is not just the quality of the American that needs to be highlighted. We need to understand the effectiveness of a new offensive ‘automatism’ that is triggered between Leao and Reijnders, and adds to and alternates with the Theo-Leao playing relationship.
The presence of Reijnders helps Hernandez to better measure his strength, to the extent that it can replace its presence in width in attack maneuvers. Furthermore, it often determines the centralization of Leao, who for this reason appears more involved in the game and less isolated/predictable. Look for example at this paroxysm from Milan’s wingers against Torino. Almost as if they were two tight three-quarters under Giroud.
Moreover, to activate certain qualities of Pulisic in the strait and his associative repertoire as a former attacking midfielder in the three-man systems of Tuchel and Favre, this is more than sensible.
And pay attention to Reijnders’ all-round ability, who offers interesting solutions even in construction, both as a midfielder and as a player who has the movements of the left winger in his pocket. Well yes, perhaps there won’t be many, but the Dutchman has made several appearances in that role in his career. He is not simply a midfielder who opens up.
He is a midfielder who knows how to act as a winger when necessary, in specific situations, generating new scenarios and unpredictability.
LOFTUS-CHEEK E PULISIC – And if the argument made applies to Reijnders and Leao, it applies equally and perhaps even more to the two ex-Chelsea players on the right. Interchangeability is not point 3 of an electoral program. It is real, active, concrete. When Milan started again last year, in a situation similar to the one below with Torino, they snatched Brahim Diaz.
Here, however, he beats Pulisic, who receives from Tomori, and due to his characteristics, the more advanced position held, and the nature of the game system, he also beats Loftus-Cheek naturally and without any inhibition. Powerful overlap from the midfielder.
And so the two against one is more immediate and faster in transition, there is no need to wait for the full-back. Not to mention the further technical and physical qualities of the English midfielder, which serve to leave Rodriguez there inside the area at a later time (because then that’s where the difference needs to be made). And without mentioning the intelligent pass once he got face to face with the goalkeeper, for Pulisic’s easy clearance.
MEZZALS ONLY IN WIDTH? – But if all this overlapping or widening of the new Rossoneri midfielders wasn’t alternated with inverse movements and relationships with the wingers of the trident, it wouldn’t be as effective. It’s a Milan that obviously knows how to keep Leao and Pulisic wide open in the trident. But not just to isolate them one-on-one, which is already a good threat in itself (now really on both sides). It is a Milan that can exploit this structure for other purposes: it can open up the mesh of a defensive 5-3-2 to throw in the midfielder with an unexpected combination. In short, on Mourinho’s skin, Inzaghi is warned.
2023-09-14 15:00:00
#Milan #derby #Reijnders #LoftusCheek #activate #Piolis #innovations
