This can not continue, Leo and the players must find a way

Milan take on Atalanta in Bergamo tomorrow night in what will be a tricky task for Leonardo. Atalanta started the campaign poorly and as a result recently appointed the young Antonio Conte who is thought to be a very promising manager after guiding Bari to Serie A last season.

Well we all know that the club is in a crisis with no end in sight. Berlusconi and Galliani have done little to quel the concern of fans whilst Leo has been backed by Galliani to continue despite our dismal performances. The players seem unhappy and as well they should be considering the current situation.

Needless to say Milan will head into this clash in the most undesirable of circumstances. To add to Milan’s problems it has been reported that Alessandro Nesta is ruled out of the clash due to the injury he picked up against Zurich. Onyewu who came on for Nesta did not perform well and as a result it is thought Leo will opt to replace Nesta with Papa Favalli.

Following the disgraceful loss at home to Zurich, it is rumoured that Leo will change formation. After five poor Serie A peformances and some indifferent form in the Champions League it is about time that Leo alter things and try something new. Understandibly, he is working with limited resources however given how Milan have performed thus far, a change of tactics should have occurred earlier.

It is thought that Leo will change to a 4-4-2 formation which is a system I advocated not so long ago in my ‘Time for a tactical change’ article.

The current side has a host of tactical problems. One major issue regarding the side at the moment are our full backs. The system Milan currently use, which incidently no different to the system used by Ancelotti, requires our full backs provide attacking options down the flanks in addition to their defensive duties. The problem is our full backs simply do not have the quality to perform this role satisfactorily. Either they lack the defensive and/or offensive capabilities along with them all being too old apart, from Abate.

A 4-4-2 will provide the full backs with extra cover defensively whilst alleviating their responsibility to attack. With two players on each flank not only will Milan be better off defensively but it may also solve some of our problems going forward which leads to the next point.

Milan’s other major issue is the link-up play between the midfield and the forwards, or rather lack of. The trequartista has been tried and has failed miserably. Seedorf is not up to the task of performing in this role on a consistent basis whilst Ronaldinho should only be used from the bench considering his form so far. Due to the failure of using the trequartista, then perhaps the forwards can be better provided for with presence of good old-fashioned wingers. Abate is a natural winger and would thrive playing in his natural position whilst on the left Seedorf may be an option still as would Jankulovski.

Another benefit of this system is that Pirlo can then play as a more advanced but central midfielder rather than a defensive one. Ambrosini, Flamini or Gattuso can be play alongside him and focus on defensive duties. With more options down the wings and with a more advanced Pirlo, the side may pose a more threatening opposition than they are currently.

With the situation getting worse with every game, surely it is time Leo makes a tactical change. A change to a more simple 4-4-2 formation can help solve some of our problems and, at the very least, is worth a try.

Team news

Alessandro Nesta is apparently ruled out though there is hope that he may yet start. Thiago Silva is still injured so Kaladze is expected to start again. Marco Borriello is still out injured whilst Flamini returns from suspension.

Expected lineup

Storari; Zambrotta, Kaladze, Favalli, Janku; Gattuso, Ambrosini, Pirlo, Seedorf; Pato, Huntelaar

acmilanblog.net prediction: Atalanta 1 Milan 1