I feel like 343 is out of the question because the 'wingers' there would be CR7 and Dybala, they won't do too much running without the ball, that's for sure. That would leave the midfield and defense too exposed with CF being always late to get back to help in defense (and the question is whether the CF will be willing to do that too, and then how effectively?).
Our best bet remains 433 with a hardworking winger like Kulu IMO. Then the midfield needs to be younger, stronger and willing to run more to make up for CR7 and Dybala. So bascially a 442 while defending.
I feel that there could be some truth in the rumors. Mastering two systems would be perfect, 433 and 343 preferably.
Ronaldo actually does a lot of ‘off the ball movement’, it’s his positioning that makes him very dangerous, but the harsh truth is that we barely found him last 2 years. And Ronaldo - Dybala worked, but mainly because of individual brilliance of both. I think that things will get easier if we put a striker between them, someone who occupies the box. Dybala is at best outside the box, and Ronaldo doesn’t position himself as a striker. The wingbacks will provide width, and they’re able to run more because a extra CD allows them to do so. If we play 433, even with Kulu, we will be lacking some width as he isn’t a classical winger. Don’t forget that he’s left footed. That’s why I’d like to see him as a 10 in 433, and adding a right footed right winger.
It’s very true though that we’ll miss someone at the midfield, but there’s a extra defender.
And somehow we’re to afraid to play with 3 attacking players in Italy, we argue a lot of who should do the defensive work, but meanwhile we’ve seen MSN, Sane, Salah and Firmino dominating the CL.
I don’t that that 343 is the best formation in Europa, especially in CL it doesn’t seem very successful, but I think it could be a good starting point for this team, especially if we add someone like Partey.
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Today is ferragosto in Italy, hopefully Agnelli didn’t gave Paratici a day off. The Khedira/Higuain situation is taking some time now.