Verona – Milan Serie A Week 33

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.

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