ANTONIO CONTE BEAST TACTIC NAPOLI'S NEW 3-4-2-1 2024-25

Antonio Conte's Tactical Vision for Napoli in 2024/25

Following a disappointing season where Napoli finished a staggering 39 points behind champions Inter and failed to qualify for European competitions for the first time in over a decade, the club has turned to Antonio Conte to revitalize their fortunes. The previous season was marked by a failure to adequately replace key players and a series of unsuccessful managerial changes, including the departure of beloved coach Luciano Spalletti and the uninspiring appointment of Rudi Garcia.

Conte, known for his ability to quickly transform top clubs, has been tasked with restoring Napoli's competitive edge. His track record includes winning Serie A titles with both Juventus and Inter, and the Naples club hopes he can bring similar success to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. Conte's fiery personality, combined with that of club president Aurelio De Laurentiis, is expected to create an intriguing dynamic throughout the season.

Tactically, Conte has consistently favored a three-man defense, a setup that has brought him success across Europe. He often utilizes wing-backs to create width and stretch the opponent's defense. Depending on the squad's composition, Conte may employ variations like the 3-1-4-2, 3-5-2, or 3-4-3, the latter of which he used to dominate the Premier League with Chelsea. For Napoli, a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 formation seems likely, as it would maximize the strengths of the current roster.

A hallmark of Conte's system is the formation of diamonds in possession, facilitating smooth ball progression through multiple passing options. His teams often rely on the comfort of central defenders with the ball, supported by wing-backs who stay wide. This setup enables the exploitation of spaces left by opposition presses, allowing wide central defenders to advance the ball or make incisive passes.

Key players like Natan, who struggled in his first season in Serie A, could find a new lease on life under Conte. Natan's ability to carry the ball forward could make him an asset in a three-man defense. Similarly, the wing-backs will play a crucial role in both defense and attack, as seen with past Conte players like Achraf Hakimi and Marcos Alonso. Their ability to overlap and stretch the play will be vital in creating scoring opportunities.

In attack, Conte is known for his well-drilled sequences and direct play. He often uses wing-backs to bypass midfield congestion, creating opportunities for inside forwards and strikers. This approach could benefit players like Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. However, with Osimhen's future uncertain, Conte may look to bring in a new striker, such as Romelu Lukaku, who has thrived under Conte's guidance in the past.

Defensively, Conte's teams are typically well-organized, using a compact 5-4-1 formation to deny space between the lines. Key midfielders like Lobotka and Zambo-Anguissa are expected to play pivotal roles, providing both defensive solidity and distribution. Napoli's pressing system will likely involve the center forward disrupting the opposition's build-up, supported by the midfielders pressing aggressively.

Potential new signings could further bolster Napoli's lineup. Romelu Lukaku, who has enjoyed success under Conte, is a prime candidate to replace Osimhen. His physical presence and hold-up play could open up spaces for teammates like Kvaratskhelia. Additionally, Torino's Alessandro Buongiorno has been identified as a defensive reinforcement, offering aerial strength and tackling ability essential for Conte's high-pressing style.

In conclusion, Antonio Conte's arrival is expected to reinvigorate Napoli, bringing a disciplined and effective tactical approach. With significant financial backing and a clear vision, Conte aims to return the club to the top of Serie A. However, the relationship between Conte and De Laurentiis will be crucial, especially if the team's performance falters. The upcoming season promises to reveal a potentially rejuvenated Conte, eager to lead Napoli back to glory and secure his fifth Serie A title.

HOW TO REPLICATE THIS TACTIC IN FOOTBALL MANAGER 2024

To replicate Antonio Conte's 3-4-2-1 formation for Napoli in Football Manager 2024, you'll want to focus on a solid defensive base, dynamic wing-backs, and a balanced midfield with creative and industrious players. Here's a detailed setup:

Formation: 3-4-2-1

1. Defensive Line:

In the few friendly matches, it looks like that Conte wants to use Di Lorenzo as a central defender while Mazzocchi will play as a right wing-back.

Goalkeeper: Alex Meret: Sweeper-keeper-support.

Central defenders (CDs)

Right Central Defender: Giovanni Di Lorenzo: Wide Center-Back-Support: pass it shorter, dribble more. With “dribble more”, Di Lorenzo will carry the ball forward to help Napoli build the play and maintain possession. It does NOT mean he will try to dribble his opponents like Messi.

Left Central Defender: Wide Center-Back-Support: pass it shorter, dribble more. Same as Di Lorenzo.

Central Defender: Alessandro Buongiorno: Ball-Playing Defender-Defend: Pass it shorter, dribble less, close down more. “Dribble Less” means that Buongiorno will stay back, he will not carry the ball forward, his main task will be to stop the opposition attacks. 

1. Wing-Backs

Right Wing-Back: Pasquale Mazzocchi: Wing-Back-support: cross more often, stay wider, close down more. In Conte’s mind, the right wing-back role is perfect for Mazzocchi, a 29 years old Napoli-born player who after a long career in minor clubs, arrived to Napoli in January this year, during the winter transfer window of the season 2023-2024

He must be capable of contributing both to attacking and defensive phase and provide crosses to the forwards and width to stretch the opponent’s defense.

Left Wing-Back: Leonardo Spinazzola: Wing-Back-support: stay wider, cross more often. Spinazzola finally joined Conte who wanted him already when he was Inter Milan coach. In Conte’s tactics, wing-backs are crucial, they must have a good stamina and be able to run back and forward for the whole match. 

1. Central Midfielders

Defensive Right Central Midfielder (DCMR): Zambo Anguissa: Defensive Midfielder-Support: pass it shorter, get further forward, close down more, mark tighter. 

To his mainly defensive tasks, Anguissa has to provide strength and runs in attack, that’s why I selected “get further forward”. 

Defensive Left Central Midfielder (DLMR) : Stanislav Lobotka: Deep-Lying Playmaker- Defend: pass it shorter. He is the most defensive player in this tactic and he will cover defensive duties only, besides he has to distribute the ball calmly and create the play. 

1. Attacking Midfielders

Right Attacking Midfielder: Matteo Politano: Inside Forward-Attack: no instructions. All the instructions we need for Politano are already preset in the inside forward role. Politano will drive towards the goal from the right side, allowing him to use his stronger left foot for shots or key passes. Besides he will support the striker and exploit any space in the central areas.

Left Attacking Midfielder: Kvitcha Kvaratshkelia: Inverted Winger-Attack: roam from position. 

With this instruction, he will look for the best position according to the situation he can shoot or dribble and create threats for the opposition. 

1. Striker

Central Striker: Victor Osimhen: Advanced Forward-Attack: Tackle Harder. He will press the opponent central defenders to win the ball back, he will be Napoli’s first defender. Conte prefers Romelu Lukaku for his tactics, Lukaku can play as a target forward or a pressing forward and he is very good at linking the play and helping his teammates when they are defending because they can always pass a long ball to him, bypassing the opponent’s pressing. Unfortunately, Napoli board had made it clear that if they can’t sell Osimhen, they will not buy another forward and until today, Paris Saint Germain and other clubs did not make any offer for the Nigerian striker (or better, they are not wiling to pay the 100 and more billions De Laurentiis wants). 

Team Instructions

- Mentality: Balanced or Positive (depending on opponent strength and home/away status). I started with a positive mentality and played with it for the whole season because Napoli is a top club, if you are playing in lower leagues or with weaker teams please consider switching to a balanced mentality. 

In Possession

• Fairly wide attacking width: width is provided by the wing-backs but Conte wants his team to be compact in the central area and avoid leaving spaces that can be exploited by the opponent
• Play out of defense
• Overlap left and right
• Focus play down both wings (exploit the flanks is crucial in Conte’s tactics)
• Slightly more direct passes
• Slightly higher tempo
• Work the ball into the box
• Whipped Crosses (works well both with Osimhen and Lukaku)

In Transition

• Counter-press
• Counter
• Distribute to center-backs
• Take short kicks

Out of possession

• High Line of engagement
• Higher defensive line
• Trigger press more often
• Prevent short GK distribution
• Step Up More
• Trap Outside
• Stop Crosses

That’s all for this tactic analysis. I won Serie A with 107 points (17 points ahead of Inter), 127 goals scored (best attack) and 32 allowed (best defense), lost only 1 game against Inter, won 35 and draw 2. Osimhen scored 53 goals in 34 games played (in January he played in African Cup for Nigeria).