Roberto Mancini's tactics at Italy (A thread)
Mancini after his appointment as the Italy national team head coach scrapped the previous 5 man back system and implemented a free flowing 433 in his side. Let's a take a simplified tactical look here!
Italy's starting 433 shape transforms into 325 or 3241 when in possession where the RB tucks in to make a back 3 while the LB goes high to join the forward line.
When in possession, the wider CBs would look to drive forward with the ball. As they remain unchallenged when facing a two striker press. Courtesy to the 3v2 in favour of them. However, when they face a three man front, Marco Verrati (CM) occupies the LB zone.
In either way, Italy go unchallenged in the first phase of buildup. With first one being more common.
There is one thing interesting in Mancini's side. The players at either side play the exact contrasting role of each other. Be it Full backs, midfielders or wingers.
The midfield primarily consists of Verrati Jorginho and Barella. Where in general shape, Verrati and Jorginho form the double pivot while Barella operates as a free man in the right half space.
Role of Verrati: He alongside forms double pivot with Jorginho. He is considered as one of the most press resistant midfielders in the world. It helps with the tactics a lot. Him and Jorginho look for the line breaking passes to the makeshift #10s.
Verrati drops to the LB zone in two cases. One is when the opponent defends with three man front and the other one is when the press is too good and he wants some space.
In first case it helps the team with 4v3 advantage at the back making the first phase of buildup easier.
In first case it helps the team with 4v3 advantage at the back making the first phase of buildup easier.
While the other scenario helps the team in two manners. While he is getting space, if his marker follows him, it will leave space for Insigne (Pic 2)
While if the winger presses him, the opposition full back is 2v1 down against Insigne and Spinazzola. (Pic 3)
While if the winger presses him, the opposition full back is 2v1 down against Insigne and Spinazzola. (Pic 3)
Verrati had 47 progressive carries throughout the Euros, 19 of them were into the final third which was the second highest in the tournament.
Also:
- Second highest number of tackle won.
- Second highest shot creating action per 90
- Most number of key passes
Also:
- Second highest number of tackle won.
- Second highest shot creating action per 90
- Most number of key passes
Jorginho also excelled in the role. Like Verratti he too produced great stats as a pivot. He is the shield of defence. He had the most number of final third passes for the team and the same for progressive passes. And had a good tackling record throughout the tournament.
Role of Barella: Generally when a team is defending with 442, they mark the pivots which leaves Barella free to operate. He operates almost as a #10 in the right half space. His creativity becomes vital and with linkup with Chiesa (14), he gets the ball in the zone.
Role of wingers: Both the wingers play contrasting roles to each other. While Insigne operates like Barella, Chiesa hugs the touchline to provide width on the right side.
Insigne is more than a winger in this side.
Insigne is more than a winger in this side.
Him and Barella almost operates as #10 on half spaces of respective sides. While Barella combines with Chiesa to send him inside the box, Insigne combines with Immobile to both create and shoot.
Insigne uses his linkup skills to enter the box with his trademark shooting opport.
Insigne uses his linkup skills to enter the box with his trademark shooting opport.
When the passing lanes looks blocked, Insigne makes a new path through himself to progress the possession. Throughout the Euros, Insigne had 45 progressive carries, 14 of them were into the final third while 12 were into the box, which is the highest in the tournament.
Insigne had 43 progressive passes received, fifth highest in the tournament and highest in the Italian side. Insigne had most number of Shot creating actions in the tournament (26), with Marco Verratti and Jorginho just behind him, making an all Italian top three in the chart.
Not only this, Insigne had
- Most number of through passes (4)
- Second most number of passes into the penalty box (13).
- Second most number of key passes (13) only behind Verratti (14).
- Second highest shots on target alongside Chiesa (7).
Throughout the tournament.!
- Most number of through passes (4)
- Second most number of passes into the penalty box (13).
- Second most number of key passes (13) only behind Verratti (14).
- Second highest shots on target alongside Chiesa (7).
Throughout the tournament.!
Coming onto the defence. Italy go high press. Insigne and Immobile form the front two off the ball targetting the CBs. The three midfielders go man to man if Jorginho is also said to do so. LB attacks the RB when he gets the ball. While the LB is already covered by Chiesa.
This looks a like a lop-sided 442.
Against 4231, the two forwards target the CBs cover-shadowing the pivots who are already man to man marked. The lop sided 442 again comes into picture. The RB is then pressed aggressively by the LB and left sided players as mentioned earlier.
Against 4231, the two forwards target the CBs cover-shadowing the pivots who are already man to man marked. The lop sided 442 again comes into picture. The RB is then pressed aggressively by the LB and left sided players as mentioned earlier.
Against a three man back, the forwards go man to man. Two CMs cover the pivots while Jorginho sweeps across. Shadow-covering one of the forwards. Or marking one of them when they drop between the lines.
It was great run for Mancini's side on a whole. Italy came back in style after the embarrassing WCQ exit, for the first time in 60 years. This is not only Italy's comeback, but it's also Mancini's comeback who had some unimpressive stints after the Man City one.
I might have missed many things as I had to try keeping it short. Some weaknesses were a bit of exposed when Austria used 4321 off the ball or when Spain used False 9 to keep them at the bay.
Many people weren't aware of what this Italy's side have become after the disaster. That's why many people were not caring about the side at all.. In reality, they were on a 27 match unbeaten run before coming into the Euros. Scoring 74 and conceding only 7.
Mancini have created a side which is a perfect blend of attacking flair and defensive solidarity. I have talked about how he built this side in a blog which I will be posting in a while and will attach here.
Hope you had a great read :-)
Stats: Fbref
Likes RT appreciated!
Hope you had a great read :-)
Stats: Fbref
Likes RT appreciated!
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