The 4-2-3-1 that had led Pioli's AC Milan to win the Scudetto seemed less perfect this year compared to last season, writes Pazzi di Fanta. Many players struggled to express themselves at their best and confirm themselves. After a disastrous January, Stefano Pioli decided to opt for the 3-4-2-1, trying to give more solidity to the team and the defensive department. For several matches, the new formation worked, albeit with different tasks for some players and less offensive danger.
Club captain Davide Calabria found less space, as Pioli opted for an offensive winger on the right, alternating between Alexis Saelemaekers and Junior Messias. Malick Thiaw became a pivot of the defense together with Kalulu and Tomori. In recent weeks, however, even this new tactical system seems to no longer produce the desired results, as shown by the latest defeats against Fiorentina and Udinese.
Pioli could evaluate returning to the 4-2-3-1 after the break, a formation that has given him guarantees for almost two years. In that case, Calabria would regain space as the right-back, Theo Hernandez would return to having the task of a full-back having more space in front of him for his surges, and Leao could return to expressing himself as he prefers, starting wide from the left to unleash all his qualities.
