Modrić Takes Up the Baton
Coach Ruben Amorim is preparing a 3-4-2-1 system in which the Croatian captain will play deeper and be the main playmaker, while Adrien Rabiot moves into a more attacking role.
Coach Ruben Amorim is preparing a 3-4-2-1 system in which the Croatian captain will play deeper and be the main playmaker, while Adrien Rabiot moves into a more attacking role.
Milan fans are eagerly awaiting the new season, and the esteemed Gazzetta dello Sport has revealed coach Ruben Amorim's tactical plans, in which Luka Modrić plays a central role. The Croatian national team captain is expected to operate deeper in midfield, taking on the responsibility of the Rossoneri's chief creator.
Amorim intends to set up the team in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Modrić as the key cog in that system. The Croatian midfielder will operate from a deeper position, dictating the tempo and initiating attacks. Last season with Milan, he made 37 appearances, scoring two goals and providing three assists, spending 2,864 minutes on the pitch, but now he faces even greater responsibility in building play.
While Modrić will drop a step back, his teammate Adrien Rabiot will be pushed into a more attacking role. The Frenchman will have more freedom to make runs and enter the final third, similar to his time at Marseille, where he scored eight goals and added five assists from that position. This division of duties should give Modrić more space for creativity, while Rabiot will be tasked with creating danger in front of the opponent's goal.
Amorim also faces the important question of who will play alongside Modrić, especially since Youssouf Fofana is on his way out. The Portuguese coach must find a midfielder who can cover a lot of ground, handle the defensive work, and physically relieve the Croatian maestro. Potential solutions mentioned include Samuele Ricci, Ardon Jashari, Yunus Musah, and young Christian Comotto.
In addition to the midfield, the Milan coach will also need to establish balance on the right side, where he has highly offensive options like Samuel Chukwueze. The midfield setup will be crucial for the entire system to function.
"While Rabiot is seeking motivation and a fresh start after a demanding period, there is no doubt in Milan about who holds the keys to the game. Amorim's plan combines Modrić's experience and creativity from deep with Rabiot's penetration in the final third, creating a new axis around which the new Milan should be built," reads the analysis in Gazzetta dello Sport.
If Amorim's vision proves successful, Modrić will have the ideal position to control matches, and Milan will have a new backbone for the team.
