Pioli admits need for tactical change – three-man midfield likely vs. Inter

AC Milan closed the month of January in the worst possible day as they lost 5-2 to Sassuolo at San Siro, extending their winless run to six games.

La Gazzetta dello Sport (via MilanNews) writes this morning that something has gone wrong on a tactical level for Milan and that is why Stefano Pioli is deserving of some scrutiny, because he persisted with a two-man midfield and a more technical attacking midfielder, which has not worked.

Against Sassuolo, Pioli decided to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation once again, but at the end of the heavy defeat he understood his mistake.

“It would be foolish on my part to continue on the path that is not bringing us results, either I’ll do something tactically and mentally. The things that worked well up until a few weeks ago haven’t worked, so it’s clear that there will be some changes,” he said.

In six days Milan will take on Inter in the derby not long after being comfortably beaten by them in the Supercoppa, and in such a delicate match it feels like the right moment to deploy a three-man midfield.

The Rossoneri are not compact on the pitch, the departments are spaced out and on Sunday Pioli will have to choose the right XI. That is why Bennacer and Tonali should be joined by one of their Pobega or Krunic, while the chances of seeing Vranckx remain low.