Juventus’s 3-5-2: To stay with it or to replace it?
Juventus have won close to 75% of their games in all competitions housing the 3-5-2 formation
The draw against Hellas Verona last week has raised some serious questions about Conte’s 3-5-2 approach. Juventus had taken the lead by a couple of goals as Tevez ended his goal scoring drought with a brace. However, Luca Toni’s goal early into the second half gave the side contending for Europa League a lot of hopes and they equalized through Juanito in stoppage time.
Many critics and the Juve tifosi have blamed the formation for this blemish and they may not be completely wrong. But, before we go on to accuse Conte of a lack of tactical flexibility, let’s look at some of the reasons as to why Conte employs such a system.
3-5-2: Complicated formation?
Background
Juve’s 4-3-3: First step to success
When Antonio Conte was hired as the manager to lead the Bianconeri in their inaugural season in the new Juventus stadium, he gave hope to all the people who love the most coveted team in Italy. The Black & White had finished 7th on two successive occasions in the Serie A. Conte was a leader on the field and off the field as a player, the right one to bring success to a club that had lost its sheen.
Conte was accustomed to using a 4-2-4 or an attacking 4-4-2 prior to joining Juve and some suggested that he may employ a similar system. However, the Juventus tactician employed a 4-3-3 with Pirlo playing in the regista role surrounded by Vidal and Marchisio at the center. Had he been stubborn to using the same formation he was familiar with, Juventus would have ended up in the 7th position again.
It is a well-known fact that the 4-3-3 used by Conte massively benefited the team and the likes of Marchisio and Vidal broke through. Conte primarily used the 4-3-3 in his first Scudetto winning season because he had the likes of Pepe and Giaccherini to slot into wide positions. During this time, Juventus scored 68 goals, conceding only 20 with 84 points and going unbeaten for the whole season.
Juve’s 3-5-2: Tactical modification by Conte
The mercato of the succeeding season brought the likes of Giovinco to bolster the attack and Asamoah. An injury to Pepe made Conte shift to a 3-5-2 with Asamoah and Lichtsteiner on either flanks. Unlike the previous season, the Turin giants had to compete in the Champions League. This would obviously effect the performance in the league as Juventus recorded 5 losses. Apart from the two losses to Sampdoria, the 3 other losses came during crucial Champions League fixtures.
Juventus beat Chelsea at home and Celtic away before losing 1-0 away to both Milan and Roma while losing to Inter at home before defeating Nordsjaelland at home. However, during this title winning season it is astonishing that the Bianconeri scored 71 goals conceding 24 and securing 87 points.
Juventus maximized their performances against the middle and lower table teams winning more, scoring more and securing more points than the previous season despite competing in Europe. Had Conte stuck with the 4-3-3 as the previous season would the Bianconeri be this efficient? Hasn’t Conte shown tactical flexibility by moving from a 4-2-4 to a 4-3-3 and eventually to a 3-5-2.
As of now
This season Conte has stuck with his 3-5-2 bringing in Llorente and Tevez to improve a depleted attack. Despite going out of the Champions League rather bizarrely, Conte’s men are at the top of the table scoring 59 goals, conceding 19 and securing 63 points in 24 games. This in comparison to Conte’s first season, Juventus have scored only 9 goals lesser with 14 games still remaining.
This in comparison to a 4-3-3 that Conte used in his first season, Juventus have been more efficient. Despite playing in Europe and the improvement in the quality of the league as of now in compared to the last two seasons, Juventus have been very productive. Having failed to secure maximum points in a game on only 4 occasions, this team is breaking records this season. The Old Lady have shown their critics the steel they are made up of.
However, this team is vulnerable to opposition teams that employ a very high tempo system. They have been exposed by Fiorentina and Hellas Verona for the same tactical reason. The only loss came away to Fiorentina while one out of the three draws taken this season came against Hellas Verona.