Wouldnt it make sense in a game like this and do the only thing that worked well recently, to bombard the penalty area with crosses and actually have a tall fucker in there (Mandzukic). If this was FM I would have kept the same backline, but put Cuadrado and Mandzukic in there instead of Higuain and Dybala who have sucked recently too.
To me I see no connection between performances on the pitch and Allegri's next match selections - that is what frustrates me with him. He is the coach and an expert and sees and knows the players of course, but to me it is really a mystery how he actually makes his choices. He has been very successful for us, so I have faith in his decisions, although they often seem very illogical for me.