The perfect formation for this Milan squad is staring Pioli in the face

Stefano Pioli probably thought he had cracked the code after AC Milan had their February resurgence, but the misery of March has opened up fresh uncertainties about his side.

The switch to a three-man defence after the torrid run of form that started in January seemed to have fixed a leaky rearguard after wins against Torino, Spurs, Monza and Atalanta without conceding, but now the Rossoneri have conceded six goals in their last three league games against Fiorentina, Salernitana and Udinese.

All of a sudden rumours are rife about a potential change in system once again that would take place after the international break with the most daunting league fixture of the season next up as Milan travel to face Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

The decision to move away from the 4-2-3-1 was one brought about by how badly Milan were getting overrun and how often they were getting caught in transition, while the 3-4-2-1 that emerged after did a good job of hiding the deficiencies at first at the expense of free-flowing attacking play.

Ultimately things degenerated to the current moment, which sees a defence unable to keep out goals and a forward department unable to score them either. A good formation should both accentuate the strengths of a team but also limit any weaknesses in the non-possession phase too, and with that in mind it is time to propose the 4-3-3 hypothesis.

Leao role

First and foremost it must be said that a formation cannot be built around one player, however it should be one that puts your best players in the right situation to succeed, which brings us to Rafael Leao.

It is over two months since Leao’s last league goal against Lecce at the Stadio Via del Mare which means the Portuguese forward is experiencing one of the most difficult moments since his arrival at the club.

Several factors are affecting what can now be described as a ‘crisis’ which seemed to hit a low point during the performance he offered in the 1-1 draw against Salernitana earlier in the month during which he gave the ball away nearly every time he got it.

Pioli’s decision to change formation and tactical approach sees Leao playing narrower, something that doesn’t provide the same situations for the former Lille man to exploit compared to the 4-2-3-1.

Playing as he does as almost a left-sided attacking midfielder means he is playing centrally off Oliver Giroud, and there is quite simply not the equivalent amount of space to operate in as he did out wide.

Leao thrives in one-on-one situations against defenders, when he can get them squared up and drive to the byline or cut inside onto his right foot, but he has been doing far too little of that of late.

Leao has never been a glowing example of consistent performances even if last season he took a big step forward, and his unresolved contractual situation might be the other thing on his mind it must be said, but Pioli can help him emerge from this slump by going back to basics.

Removing a…