GdS: Balance, build-up and an extra weapon – Fonseca’s tactical moves to stop Liverpool

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·16 de septiembre de 2024

GdS: Balance, build-up and an extra weapon – Fonseca’s tactical moves to stop Liverpool

Tuesday night’s game between AC Milan and Liverpool will be the perfect test to establish whether Paulo Fonseca’s side have taken steps forward with the 4-0 win over Venezia, or if it was a false dawn.

This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) talks about a ‘game of chess’ that will take place at San Siro tomorrow, against ‘one of the strongest opponents in Europe’ as Fonseca himself reiterated after Milan’s victory over Venezia.

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Tomorrow the Champions League music will be played again at San Siro, with Liverpool as the Rossoneri’s special guest. The Reds lost on Saturday for the first time in the season (0-1 at Anfield against Nottingham Forest), but little changes in the consideration they have of Arne Slot’s team at Milanello.

Fonseca and his staff know they have a very high quality squad, despite a summer transfer market without the fireworks of the past. The good news is that Milan have a win on the board and after four goals inside half an hour against Venezia, they succeeded in the task with the minimum expenditure of energy.

Tactical moves

Fonseca began studying the tactical plan to counter Mohamed Salah and his team-mates yesterday. Not only did the first victory arrive against Venezia, but also the first match without conceding a goal which is a good sign after the stuttering start in defence.

However, Liverpool have an attack force that is decidedly superior to all the opponents they have faced so far. This is why greater attention and sacrifice than usual will be required, to combat Trent Alexander-Arnold, Salah, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and co.

Milan can respond with Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao, but the two vs. two on that side was one of the most problematic situations in the first three league games. Thus, it is logical to think of a strategy that includes reinforcements when the ball is in the possession of the Premier League side.

How could Fonseca do this? Perhaps Tijjani Reijnders or Ruben Loftus-Cheek could slide to the left to help cover for attacking runs, but then the Rossoneri must be careful not to leave Diaz (three goals and an assist in the first four games) wide open.

Build-up phase

In Fonseca’s mind, there cannot be too much emphasis on stopping Liverpool because his side must also show what they can do. So they will try to build from the back as usual, with a 3+2 system to do so.

There are two, if not three, possible moves. The first and most obvious: Fofana to drop between the two central defenders, with the full-backs moving up and the attacking midfielder in line with the other midfielder.

The alternative, already seen against Lazio: Emerson Royal tucking in, Theo Hernandez with license to push, therefore almost a switch to a three-man defence in the first possession phase. The third and most daring: Maignan to set up almost as an outfield player among the central defenders.

It is clear that a lot will also depend on the approach of the Merseysiders, who are usually very accustomed to high pressing. Being able to overcome the first line of press, however, could open up interesting spaces in transition.

An extra weapon

Fonseca will also have Alvaro Morata to call upon, who is regenerated after the international break. The Spaniard has recovered from his injury at the start of the season and played against Venezia for just under half an hour.

Against Liverpool he could be ready to return from the first minute. Compared to Tammy Abraham, he is more inclined to drop in and link up with his team-mates, while movements useful for freeing his team-mates, such as spreading out on the left to allow Rafa Leao to attack the space from left to right.

Depending on how the game is developong, Alvaro can attack the space in behind or bring his team-mates into the game by playing a bit deeper, just as he did at the European Championship with Spain to get the best out of Williams and Yamal.

He has a good records against the Reds, whom he has faced five times in his career without ever losing. In the last one, in the Champions League, a goal and an assist to oust Liverpool from the tournament. Morata knows how to do it and, as the leader he is, he will try to explain it to his team.