Allegri explains Milan changes with new 4-3-3 experiment

Max Allegri explains how his Milan team changes with a 4-3-3 formation against Udinese and why they must ‘give Rafael Leao the right service’ as a centre-forward.

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It kicks off at San Siro at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.

Last week’s defeat to Napoli effectively put an end to talk of the Scudetto, as instead the Rossoneri must look nervously over their shoulders at the chasing pack for those precious Champions League places.

“We lost two of the last three games, so we must not get swept up in the moment, but analyse what went wrong and can be improved,” Allegri told DAZN Italia.

“We’ve recovered some players, we know Udinese can hurt us on the counter-attack, so we must make as few mistakes as possible.”

Allegri transforms Milan tactics

With practically a full squad to choose from at last, as Matteo Gabbia returns to the bench, Allegri changes his tactics from 3-5-2 to the 4-3-3 for the first time from the start.

It uses returning Rafael Leao as a False 9, flanked by Christian Pulisic and Alexis Saelemaekers, with Samuele Ricci and Zachary Athekame stepping in.

“Athekame has different characteristics to Tomori and will push more down the right. Naturally, Saelemaekers is doing the same job he always did as a wide striker, he is an important player who brings balance to the team,” explained the coach.

“Rafa is growing in terms of fitness levels and as a centre-forward he does good movements, but it’s up to us to give him the right service so he can score goals. Gimenez was out for six months, so he can’t be at 100 per cent yet, Fullkrug played two games in a row, so there are changes today.

“I just hope I got the right line-up today,” smiled Allegri.

Another change this evening sees Luka Modric named vice captain, while Mike Maignan retains the armband.