The 17th matchday of the Serie A season presents a tactical chessboard at San Siro, where AC Milan hosts Hellas Verona. The official starting XIs, released just hours before kickoff, reveal a fascinating symmetry: both managers have opted for the rigorous 3-5-2 formation. This tactical choice sets the stage for a monumental battle for midfield control, making personnel selection paramount. Massimiliano Allegri and Marco Zanetti have submitted their definitive answers, and the complexity, particularly in Milan’s central engine room, warrants a detailed examination.
Allegri’s Midfield Marvel: A Statement of Intent
AC Milan’s lineup under Allegri is not merely pragmatic; it is audacious. Deploying a 3-5-2 requires exceptional coordination, particularly in the flanks and center. The defense sees a trio of pace and positioning in Tomori, the younger De Winter, and Pavlovic. This unit must transition seamlessly between a low block and supporting aggressive wing-backs, Saelemaekers and Bartesaghi, who are tasked with providing both width and defensive cover.
The tactical core of Milan, however, is the central midfield trio—a selection that screams intent. The combination of Loftus-Cheek, Luka Modric, and Adrien Rabiot presents a blend of physical presence, deep-lying creativity, and box-to-box dynamism. This is less a midfield, and more an assertion of dominance. The technical complexity lies in managing the possession metrics; with Modric orchestrating tempo and Rabiot providing vertical thrust, Milan aims to suffocate Verona`s central pathways before they can even develop.
Maignan; Tomori, De Winter, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Nkunku, Pulisic.
Up front, the pairing of Christopher Nkunku and Christian Pulisic offers rapid movement and technical finesse. They are not classic target men; their function is to interchange quickly, exploit half-spaces, and maximize the through-balls generated by the powerhouse midfield. The success of this 3-5-2 rests heavily on the partnership’s ability to press the opposition`s defense high, forcing mistakes that the midfield can capitalize upon.
Verona’s Pragmatic Counter: Stability and Resilience
Facing a team stacked with such high-caliber central talent, Verona manager Zanetti has predictably prioritized stability, also fielding a 3-5-2 designed to absorb pressure and hit on the counter. Goalkeeper Montipò will rely heavily on the experienced central defensive trio of Nuñez, Nelsson, and Bella-Kotchap. This three-man shield is robust and positionally disciplined, essential for closing down the narrow lanes that Allegri’s attack favors.
Verona`s central midfield—comprising Niasse, Al-Musrati, and Bernede—is tasked with the thankless job of interrupting the Modric-Rabiot axis. They must be defensively compact and quick in transition. The deployment of Oyegoke and Valentini (filling in for Bradaric) on the wings confirms Verona’s intention to defend the wide zones aggressively, attempting to turn Milan`s wing-back advantage into a bottleneck.
Montipò; Nuñez, Nelsson, Bella-Kotchap; Oyegoke, Niasse, Al-Musrati, Bernede, Valentini; Giovane, Mosquera.
The Key Tactical Duel: Midfield Suffocation
The technical verdict suggests that this match will be won or lost within the 18-yard box of the pitch. Both teams, using identical formations, negate any inherent positional advantage, transforming the contest into a man-for-man strategic duel. Verona’s defensive solidity must hold up against the relentless passing of Milan’s world-class center. Should Verona`s midfield fail to disrupt Modric`s deep distribution or contain Loftus-Cheek`s runs, the pressure on their back three will become unsustainable.
Conversely, Verona`s attacking duo, Giovane and Mosquera, while less heralded, possess the pace required to trouble Milan’s relatively new defensive combination on the counter. Their success hinges entirely on the wing-backs, who must deliver precise early crosses before Milan’s central midfield can recover and reorganize the press. Allegri, known for his ability to fine-tune defensive solidity, will be wary of overextending his star-studded central unit.
In summation, while Milan’s lineup suggests overwhelming firepower and central superiority, the inherent risk of fielding an attacking-heavy 3-5-2 against a technically symmetrical opponent means Allegri cannot afford a single lapse in tactical discipline. Verona, meanwhile, possesses the necessary structure to absorb, frustrate, and potentially deliver an unexpected blow in this high-stakes Serie A engagement.