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AC Milan, like ancient Rome, was once a glorious and powerful
empire. Both regimes had similar conquests, powerful and charismatic leaders.
They had the best soldiers (players) and the best tacticians to continue in
their all-conquering ways. But like all good things they must come to an end. The
downfall of both empires is similar as well. Through decadence. Albeit from
different sources. While the all-powerful roman empire fell due to moral and
militaristic decay, the excellent AC Milan fell to financial degeneration. Poor
economic decisions mainly and the dependence on past glories have kept them
there. While Ancient Rome (Italy) in the 15th and 16th centuries
experienced a shift from the dark ages to modernity, Milan makes an attempt
again to move into a period of success. After failed attempts with coaches like
Mauro Tassotti, Clarence Seedorf, Filippo Inzaghi, Siniša Mihajlović, Cristian
Brocchi, Vincenzo Montella, Gennaro Gattuso, and Marco Giampaolo, they move to
a man who I liken to Leonardo Da Vinci. Ralf Rangnick. Da Vinci-like as he prepares
to move Milan from their Dark Ages into a period of modernity and success, much
like Ancient Rome. Today’s article will look at the tactical phase of the
revolution.
Ralf Rangnick, like Da Vinci, is multitalented. While Da Vinci
focused on the arts, science, and architecture, Rangnick is well versed in
tactical innovations, youth development, and fiscal responsibility. While he is
not going to reinvent the wheel, he’s definitely going to change how the
Rossoneri play. As an ardent student of the ways of Ernst Happel, Rinus
Michels, and Arrigo Sacchi, Ragnick has managed to infuse aspects of
their ideas in his coaching career to varying degrees of success. At VfB
Stuggart, Rangnick and his team found ways to implement their unique
aggressive
counter-press, now famously known as the Gegenpress. This has
contributed to the revolution in German football. They also sparked off a
generation of new coaches in the Bundesliga like Jürgen Klopp, Tomas
Tuchel, Marco Rose, Julian Nagglesman, and Ralph Hassenhüttl.
Rangnick has shown his tactical flexibility as he has had his teams play 4-4-2,
(which can morph into a 4-2-2-2 or 4-1-2-1-2) 3-5-2, and sometimes a 4-3-3
formation.
Attack
In offense, Rangnick seeks to make opponents
disorganized by pressing them high up the pitch and then breaking quickly and
scoring within 10 seconds of ball recovery. Also, a focus on creating overloads
will be dominant in his Milan tenure. Under Rangnick, Milan will be expected to
line up with two strikers. They would be expected to attack using quick
vertical passes. The strikers will be tasked to provide attacking cover or
counter-press when they lose the ball, while the wingers cut in and act as
playmakers behind them. This should allow the wing-backs (or fullbacks) to push
forward to create space and fire in crosses. In this system, the strikers will
need to stay central, so they can easily be put through on goal with diagonal
passes or vertical through balls. The beauty of this approach is its
unpredictability. An unpredictability that stems from the use of space
orientation rather than positioning.
Defense
In defense, Rangnick looks to his mentor and
Milan legend, Arrigo Sacchi. He fuses a high line with a space-oriented and
ball-oriented approach to defense. This means Milan’s defensive players will be
expected to press and create overloads once they lose the ball. When the
opposition tries to build from the back, the wide men move in to press the
central defenders while the fullbacks take up positions out wide to cut out supply
to the flanks. Another approach he is known to use involves the collective
pressing of the ball handler to cut out all passing options while looking to
counter on misplaced passes. Targets of his pressing system are the opposing
central midfielders and the ball handlers.
The issue with this is the high-intensity
nature. It will require fast players. Something which is lacking to a certain
degree at Milanello. It will also require young players who will be malleable
enough to learn the system. Also, they are more likely to recover faster
between training sessions and last the whole season.
In a nutshell, Rangnick’s Milan will be focused
on high pressing and counter-attacking football.
In the next part of the series, I would try to
identify players that will be used in this system.
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