Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
Milan’s high-profile attacking experiment has already come beneath scrutiny, only one match after debuting within the Champions League. A star-studded ahead line that includes Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao, Joao Felix, and Santiago Gimenez was meant to be a game-changer, however their underwhelming efficiency in opposition to Feyenoord has led coach Sergio Conceicao to rethink his tactical method.
Following a 1-0 loss to the Dutch facet, Milan‘s assault appeared removed from the dominant power followers had hoped for. Now, stories recommend that Conceicao might abandon the setup altogether, reverting to a extra balanced formation. Nonetheless, that shift would imply one in every of the Rossoneri’s attacking stars can be relegated to the bench.
Within the buildup to the Champions League conflict in opposition to Feyenoord, there was immense pleasure about Milan’s attacking quartet. Dubbed the ‘Unbelievable 4’, the new-look entrance line was anticipated to be a serious menace. The addition of Felix and Gimenez in January added firepower to a squad already boasting Leao and Pulisic, giving Milan followers hope that their crew might change into a free-scoring unit.
Nonetheless, the match at De Kuip didn’t go in response to plan. Mike Maignan’s early mistake, which gifted Feyenoord an opening aim within the third minute, set the tone for the night time. However what adopted was maybe much more regarding—the friends’ assault failed to reply.
Milan’s ‘Unbelievable 4’ disappoints in Rotterdam
“Every member of the quartet acquired a poor ranking after the sport,” wrote Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport. “Not solely was it troublesome to get the ball into the attacking stars, however once they acquired the ball, they didn’t do something of curiosity with it.”
The Italians did not register a single aim, and the particular person performances left a lot to be desired. Leao, regardless of being essentially the most concerned, missed essential possibilities and pissed off the crew by interesting for a penalty. Felix confirmed glimpses of ability, however he finally did not make a big affect on the match.
Pulisic struggled to deal with Feyenoord’s depth and didn’t seem absolutely match, additional hindering his facet’s offensive efforts. Moreover, Gimenez had zero pictures on aim, rendering him ineffective and unable to contribute to the crew’s assault. With the Serie An enormous failing to generate attacking momentum, doubts have already begun to emerge about whether or not this ultra-offensive setup is sustainable.
Conceicao might abandon experiment after one sport
The disappointing Champions League efficiency has pushed Milan’s teaching workers to rethink their tactical method. Reviews from Calciomercato recommend that Conceicao is leaning in the direction of a return to the 4-3-3 formation, a system that had introduced some stability in latest weeks.
This shift would introduce USMNT worldwide Yunus Musah into midfield, offering extra stability and management, however it might additionally imply that one of many 4 attackers must be benched.
“Will Conceicao stick with this formation? It seems a ‘very troublesome’ thought,” Calciomercato famous. “A return to the 4-3-3 with Yunus Musah performing as a balancer in midfield is extra seemingly.”
So, who’s most vulnerable to being omitted? Gimenez is predicted to maintain his place as Milan’s major striker. Which means one in every of Pulisic, Leao, or Felix will seemingly be dropped to the bench. Thus, per the report, Leao is the main candidate to overlook out, although no remaining resolution has been made.
