One idea that seems to be gaining momentum – at least in the media – is that of Maurizio Sarri becoming the next head coach of AC Milan.
While the current Milan are focused on the field and the mission of winning a second trophy, the planning for next season is already underway. As we told you before, Sarri is very much an idea in the minds of the management to take over from Sergio Conceicao.
Why Sarri?
Milan have decided that they need to change direction from a ‘European’ project to more of an ‘Italian’ one. That means recruiting figures that know the league inside out, to stabilise and build for an important next season.
Sarri ticks boxes: he understands the league well, he is a winner and he has the right motivations. The ex-Lazio boss is just waiting for a call to resume his coaching career with a team and a project that want to aim high.
If reports are to be believed, Milan have considered hiring Sarri several times in the past, most notably in December when the decision was made to sack Paulo Fonseca. Back then, he didn’t like the idea of only having a guaranteed six months.
Playing style
How could Sarri’s Milan play? The 66-year-old has used different formations during his professional career: from a 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-1-2 with Empoli and Napoli to a 4-3-3, which he has relied upon a lot more recently.
Sarri uses high wingers, a deep line to aid building out from the back, and full-backs who are equipped with great technique and ability to beat a man to create overloads. He is a coach who likes to have control of the game, with a high line in possession to create territorial domination.
His patented ‘Sarrismo’ is one of a kind: build-up from the back thanks to the deep-lying playmaker (regista) who provides fast, first-time passes to immediately beat the press, using the wingers, full-backs and the other midfielders.
The challenges that his sides have faced include having a philosophy requires time to be assimilated, plus issues in defensive transition given the high line and numbers committed forward, and also the risk that – if the build-up is too slow – a low block can be hard to beat.
Milan’s current squad
Working off the basis of a 4-3-3 with which Sarri would look to play ‘his’ way, Mike Maignan would be important because of his ability on the ball, while Alex Jimenez and Theo Hernandez appear obvious choices at full-back. Matteo Gabbia would be the rock of the defence.
Tijjani Reijnders would act both as a playmaker and runner into the box, just as the physical characteristics of Ruben Loftus-Cheek (already coach by Sarri) would be very useful. Youssouf Fofana, on the other hand, would be the dam that would give balance to the entire build-up.
Who would be the striker? Santiago Gimenez, due to his ability and the economic investment, would be almost certain to start. Then, it would be up to Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic to create chances from out wide.
Looking at the squad, the likes of Walker, Bondo, Zeroli and Camarda would play for a spot. Then, loanees like Sottil, Okafor, Saelemaekers, Adli and Abraham would have their futures re-evaluated.
Possible Milan XI under Sarri (4-3-3): Maignan; Jimenez, Tomori, Gabbia, Theo Hernandez; Reijnders, Fofana, Loftus-Cheek; Leao, Gimenez, Pulisic.
