As Milan prepares for their Milan`s first pre-season match under returning coach Massimiliano Allegri, reports suggest the Italian tactician is experimenting with star player Rafael Leao in a new position. The Rossoneri are set to face Arsenal in a friendly in Singapore on Wednesday.
Milan, who parted ways with Sergio Conceicao after the 2024-25 season, welcomed back Allegri in May. The team has bolstered its squad with new signings Samuele Ricci, Luka Modric and Pietro Terracciano. Following the Arsenal match, Milan will take on Premier League champions Liverpool in Hong Kong on Saturday.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Allegri tested a flexible system in Tuesday`s training session, alternating between a 5-4-1 in defense and a 4-4-2 in attack. With striker Santiago Gimenez absent due to an extended break after the Gold Cup, Leao was utilized as the central forward in both phases of play.
The defensive setup featured three center-backs – Fikayo Tomori, Malick Thiaw and Strahinja Pavlovic – with Alexis Saelemaekers and Davide Bartesaghi as wing-backs. The midfield comprised Ricci and Ruben Loftus-Cheek centrally, Christian Pulisic on the left, and Yunus Musah in a versatile right the right.
When attacking, Saelemaekers pushed forward from wing-back to become more of a wide midfielder, with Musah shifting centrally alongside Ricci. This movement resulted in Tomori playing as a right-back in a four-man defense during possession. Pulisic maintained his left-wing position, while Loftus-Cheek advanced to join Leao in a two-man attack.
Several players, including Modric, Gimenez, Emerson Royal, Yacine Adli and Ismael Bennacer, have not traveled with the squad to Asia. Alex Jimenez and Youssouf Fofana are present but currently training individually.
Milan`s Tactical Formations in Training
5-4-1 (defensive): Maignan; Saelemaekers, Tomori, Thiaw, Pavlovic, Bartesaghi; Musah, Ricci, Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic; Leao.
4-4-2 (offensive Maignan; Tomori, Thiaw, Pavlovic, Bartesaghi; Saelemaekers, Musah, Ricci, Pulisic; Leao, Loftus-Cheek.