Starting from playing as a defensive midfielder for Real Madrid

After the day's training officially ended, Allegri immediately announced the starting eleven for the Cagliari League.

Li Ang was selected, and Pirlo was finally selected!

Leon knew it when he saw Allegri praising Pirlo's performance as if nothing had happened before.

I succeeded!

His partnership with Pirlo showed the power he expected, or in other words, Pirlo's "gas reserve" greatly exceeded Allegri's expectations.

Li Ang is like a young version of Gattuso, and he is on the left and right of Gattuso in the twilight of his career. He once again supported Pirlo's super protection with his hard defensive sweep and sufficient organizational support.

No Italian coach can resist the temptation of having a "normal performance level" Pirlo.

Even Allegri, who mainly tried to clean out Pirlo, gave Pirlo several starting opportunities in the first half of the league while still holding out hope.

But how can I put it, the particularity of Pirlo's position naturally increases his team's requirements for midfield interception hardness and coverage area.

He can support a team's organization by himself, and his level of midfield master is unquestionable.

But correspondingly, when he delays but cannot provide much frontal confrontation and defensive hardness.

The midfield partners on both sides must devote more physical energy and energy to fill this defensive hole for him.

In the past, Gattuso and Ambrosini or Seedorf helped him do this job.

But now when his superstar partners are getting older, their physical and speed advantages are no longer there. He only has skills but does not have enough physical strength to do powerful sweeps and coverage.

Pirlo's shortcomings were naturally exposed.

He can assist the main defensive players in making up for leaks, and he also has advantages in position selection and football intelligence, but his physical fitness is there, and if he can't withstand the opponent's repeated attacks in the middle, then he can't.

His two previous defeats against Real Madrid in the Champions League highlighted his shortcomings in this area.

The faceless Khedira followed Mourinho's tactical arrangement and made a brutal forward move that stunned Milan in the middle.

When Gattuso slowed down his defense, it was really difficult for Pirlo to take advantage of the head-on confrontation with Khedira except for fouling.

Therefore, it makes sense to say that Allegri made the decision to abandon Pirlo some time ago.

And now, Allegri, who looked at Pirlo and said "it smells so good", also makes sense!

The little lion is here, and he is very surprised to be able to play on the left and right sides of the midfield.

Pirlo has a sweeping maniac in front of him again. Let's see how well Pirlo performs with his defensive shortcomings made up.

Can such a midfielder be used? Can it be discarded?

Allegri said that he no longer needs to find another beast's waist.

Pirlo is the true core of Milan!

※※※

At two o'clock in the afternoon on January 6, when AC Milan and Cagliari both released their starting eleven, not to mention the fans of the two teams, neutral fans were stunned.

In the ninth round of Serie A, after AC Milan lost 1-2 to Juventus, Pirlo, who was almost used as a rotation substitute by Allegri after AC Milan lost 1-2, actually started again today?

The melon-eating fans took a look at the starting list.

Well, the new Real Madrid youngster is in the starting eleven, no problem.

Then why did Pirlo come in? Is Allegri planning to switch to a double midfielder formation?

Italian fans who are keen to discuss changes in game tactics and formations are interested in Allegri's new formation.

Some old Milan fans who were still hostile to Li Ang before were also a little confused.

"Perhaps he really is not here to steal Andrea's position. Can their double midfielder partnership work?"

"There is hope. I have watched Li Ang play in Real Madrid, and the partnership between him and Alonso is really good."

"But Andrea doesn't have as good a defensive ability as Alonso, and he only relies on Li Ang to defend from behind?"

"Forget it, the game will start soon. Let's talk about it after watching it. It doesn't make much sense to discuss this now."

Among the thousands of Milan fans on the road, similar discussions were heard before the game started.

As it approached three o'clock in the afternoon, the players from Milan and Cagliari completed the pre-match ceremony, and after the players from both sides gradually took their positions, waves of exclamations erupted from the Milan fans.

"Left midfielder! Li Ang appeared in the left midfield position! This is completely different from the Milan starting lineup predicted by the media before the game. Milan did not play a 423 formation with double midfielders. They played in the midfield. Four-four-two in diamond position!”

The commentator of Sky Sports Italy was also surprised.

When they introduced the starting lineups of both sides just now, they bluntly stated that Milan would adopt a 4-2-31 formation today.

As a result, no one expected that Allegri played a dirty trick in the end and deceived not only Cagliari's head coach Donani, but also all the media and fans!

"This is a very surprising formation change, but Li Ang has never played in the left midfield position before. He always played as a defensive midfielder in Real Madrid. Today he can adapt to this new position and perform well. Come?"

The commentator of Sky Sports Italy expressed the questions in the minds of countless Milan fans at this moment.

When the game started, almost all the spectators stared at Li Ang, who still looked calm and started running.

It seemed that he wanted to see some nervousness and unnatural emotions on his face.

Unfortunately, Li Ang successfully started his career in Milan with a smooth and quick ball transfer.

Li Ang actively supported and distributed the ball several times in a row. Li Ang made no mistakes and did his job steadily.

His wide range of running and steady passing allowed the entire Milan left midfield to operate smoothly.

This lackluster personal performance is already a small surprise to Milan fans.

"Oh my God! This kid can really play in the midfield! We have strengthened the midfielder and defensive midfielder positions at the same time. At least he is a very good substitute. Massimo (Ambrosini) and Mathieu (Flamini) can rest in peace."

Some happy Milan fans made their judgment in advance, which sounds very reliable. At least Li Ang will do a good job on the left side of the midfield.

However, a bigger surprise hit almost all "Rosenelli" in the head later.

Just into the seventh minute of the first half, Cagliari managed to steal the ball in the backcourt. Their midfielders Lazzari and Nainggolan began a quick counterattack with the ball.

Gattuso on the right side of the midfield was not as fast as Nainggolan. Pirlo had already started to retreat early. Almost all Milan fans felt nervous when they saw this scene.

They have seen too many similar scenes in previous league and Champions League games.

Gattuso's top defense failed to keep up, and Pirlo, who faced the opponent's impact in the middle alone, almost became a "defensive colander".

But amidst their intense attention this time, a sunny and handsome young man who could barely be regarded as "long hair" quickly chased back from the flank!

The Cagliari fans began to exclaim. Nainggolan did not have time to observe the situation behind him. Then he was squeezed out of position by a huge force, and the football at his feet was also arbitrarily snatched away. !

"The speed of chasing back is too fast! Li Ang——!!! Beautiful chasing defense! God! Li Ang resolved Milan's defensive crisis in advance before Nainggolan was about to face Pirlo! No foul ! This is a great personal pursuit! Is this the 'surprise' Allegri has prepared for Cagliari? "

When the commentator began to applaud Li Ang's wonderful defense this time, thousands of fans of the visiting team in Milan couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief and cheered!

Pirlo brushed the long hair in front of his forehead, first passed the football passed back by Li Ang and then passed it to Gianluca Zambrotta who started to advance forward, and then took the initiative to show his smile to Li Ang.

And an outstretched palm!

"Well done!"

"That's what I should do, Andrea."

Li Ang, who also smiled and high-fived Pirlo, replied happily, and then actively ran back to his position on the left side of the midfield.

Looking at Li Ang's energetic back, the smile on Pirlo's face became even brighter.

"No wonder Zlatan said everyone will like the good little lion~"

After chatting with the editor for a while, I forgot to set a scheduled release for the afternoon update. I’m sorry.

However, the release time is almost set, hehe, just wait for my update at that time!

Brothers, let’s get started with chasing reading and voting. I’ve been watching chasing reading in the past two weeks!