GUIDE TO ITALY
WHAT MAKES CONTE’S SIDE SO EFFECTIVE?
ITALY’S 3-5-2 formation allows them to dominate at both ends of the pitch and not be overrun in midfield. The three centre halves can outnumber and nullify opposition centre forwards, while the two strikers can operate high up the pitch as they are not required to track back often, presenting most modern centre backs with a situation they’re not used to. In my early days as a defender I would almost always face a pair of strikers but nowadays, central defenders are more accustomed to dealing with lone centre forwards.
SO, HOW DO THEY DO IT?
CONTE prevents his wing backs being pushed back too far by sending them out to engage the play and having his central midfielders cover them. The three centre backs — Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini — largely stay put. The wing backs patrol the flanks, with the wider central midfielders creating two-on-two situations against opposition full backs and wingers. The deepest midfielder sweeps up in front of the back three. THIS allows Bonucci — a superb passer — to pick out his forwards with diagonal, clipped balls from deep when Italy regain possession. The strikers are not often required to track back because of the work done by those behind them — unless the team is out of possession for a long time and under real pressure. Graziano Pelle and Eder are not individually outstanding but work well together and do a superb job pulling the centre halves apart.
WHY DOESN’T EVERY TEAM DO THIS?
TO implement this system effectively the coach needs to know what he’s doing, and Conte has been playing it since he arrived at Juventus. We used to play three at the back at Arsenal, and every Monday we would have a walkthrough with Bruce Rioch as we always had questions about it. The economy of the Italians’ movement is unparalleled — everyone knows their role and no energy is wasted. This takes a lot of intelligence. You also need mobile central midfielders and attacking wing backs who are diligent, well drilled and very fit!
... BUT CAN THEY BEAT GERMANY?
PLAYING this way is very hard on the players — Conte has substituted two of his midfield five in each of Italy’s games — and this could well be the point where they run out of steam. Having already defeated Belgium and European champions Spain, it would be asking a hell of a lot of Italy to take down the world champions, too.