In understand that we play a more offensive formation but can someone explain the huge space that we leave at the back?
Now, though, you have just the two centre-backs covering the space.
There needs to be more of an adjustment to the new system from the full-backs (i.e. they need to play as full-backs, not wing-backs) and at least one of the midfielders playing beside Pirlo needs to actually stay there close to him, narrow and deep, and spend a lot of time playing like a defensive midfielders.
Do people remember when Allegri was playing with three defensive midfielders (Gattuso, Van Bommel, Ambrosini) when Milan last won the league? Or when Ancelotti had Gattuso and Ambrosini playing either side of Pirlo when Milan last won the CL?
That, to my mind, is how 4-3-1-2 (or 4-3-2-1) works best. You set up to completely dominate the centre of the pitch and the midfield holds shape and position to allow the full-backs to attack and to allow the team to have three very attacking players up front.
If you want one or both the midfielders on the side of the midfield to be able to attack you are then getting into an area where there needs to be a very good understanding between the midfielders and the full-backs as to who can attack at any given moment without leaving the team completely unbalanced.
I don't like 4-3-1-2 in general and I don't think it is a system that is likely to get the best from Juve's players just now.
