Tactical notes from the game
Conte tried his best to protect the Italian camps preparation for this match by implementing security measures at his training facilities but the media seemed to know about his setup for this match anyway. Italy morphed seamlessly into a 3-3-4 with the ball and a 4-4-2 without. There are several clips available online in which you can see the whole team moving together from above, and it really is inspiring to watch.
Matteo Darmian and Antonio Candreva (playing as the wing-backs) might not have had standout games in a sense; they were both fairly wasteful with the ball in good situations, but the running they did was invaluable. They pressed high up the match relentlessly in the first half, falling a little deeper as the game went on and won the ball back in good situations several times.
Giaccherini, a part of the three in the centre of the midfield was a livewire, making runs into the box and blocking Belgian shots in equal measure. His run and finish for the goal was gorgeous. Daniele De Rossi and Marco Parolo (the other two of the three man midfield) were less impressive, although they’re very good players on their day. But, again it is a testament to Conte that Italy’s system was so tight that they didn’t need to be at their best.
Eder and Graziano Pelle (the two forwards), were also fairly sloppy. Eder in particular wasted several moves and didn’t make the most of the free role he had. Pelle wasted a few chances as well but the fine volley he smashed into the Belgian net towards the end will give him a lot of confidence. Crucially though, they led the pressing from the front and harried the Belgian defenders and midfielders into playing quick passes.
Conte’s impact on Italy’s playing style against Belgium couldn’t be clearer. If anything he was doing it with inferior players than the ones he had at Juventus. The energy and hustle of the wing backs, the pressing of the centre forwards in tandem with one dropping a little deeper, the 3 man defence and the energetic and industrious midfield, all directly out of Conte’s playbook.
