Antonio Conte's arrival at Tottenham Hotspur in November 2021 brought a new level of excitement to the club. The former Chelsea and Inter Milan manager is known for his tactical acumen and his ability to transform teams into title contenders. Since taking over at Tottenham, Conte has implemented a new playing style that has seen the team climb up the Premier League table. In this tactical analysis, we will take a closer look at Tottenham's playing style under Conte.
Formation and Defensive Tactics
One of the most notable changes Conte has made is the formation. He has shifted Tottenham from a 4-3-3 to a 3-4-3 formation. The new formation provides more stability and balance to the team, with three center-backs providing a solid defensive foundation. The wing-backs, typically Clémet Lenglet and Emerson Royal, offer width and support in both attack and defense.
Under Conte, Tottenham's defensive organization has improved significantly. The team has become more compact and disciplined, often defending in a low block and relying on quick transitions to attack. The three center-backs play a crucial role in this defensive setup, with one of them often stepping out of the defensive line to press the opposition. The wing-backs also play a critical role in defending, dropping back to form a five-man defense and nullifying the opposition's attacks.
Midfield and Offensive Tactics
In midfield, Conte has opted for a double pivot consisting of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp. The two midfielders offer a solid defensive base while also being capable of contributing to the attack. Hojbjerg is often tasked with breaking up opposition attacks, while Skipp provides more mobility and energy in midfield. The two midfielders work in tandem to provide a solid foundation for the team.
In attack, Conte has relied heavily on Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min. The two forwards often play in a front three, with Kane playing as a false nine and dropping deep to link up with the midfielders. Son plays as a left winger and often cuts inside to create chances. The third attacking player, typically Kulusevski or Richarlison, provides support and width to the attack.
Conte's offensive tactics are based on quick transitions and creating chances from turnovers. The team often looks to win the ball back high up the pitch and then launch quick counter-attacks. The wing-backs provide crucial support in attack, overlapping the forwards and creating crossing opportunities.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Tottenham's new playing style under Conte has several strengths. The team is more solid defensively and has become difficult to break down. The wing-backs provide width and support in both attack and defense, while the midfield double pivot offers a solid defensive foundation. In attack, Kane and Son are still the team's biggest threats, with their combination play often proving difficult for opposition defenses to handle.
However, there are also some weaknesses to Conte's playing style. The team can sometimes struggle to break down deep-lying defenses, with their attacking play often becoming predictable. The midfield double pivot can also be vulnerable to opposition attacks, with the team relying heavily on the defensive abilities of Hojbjerg and Skipp. Additionally, the wing-backs can sometimes leave gaps in defense when they push forward in attack, leaving the back three exposed.
Conclusion
Antonio Conte's arrival at Tottenham has brought a new level of tactical awareness to the team. The shift to a 3-4-3 formation has provided more balance and stability to the team, while the defensive organization has improved significantly. In attack, the team looks to win the ball back high up the pitch and launch quick counter-attacks.
Looking forward, it will be interesting to see how Tottenham's playing style evolves under Conte. As the team continues to adapt to the new formation and tactics, we may see further improvements in the team's defensive and offensive play. Additionally, as new players are brought in and current players continue to develop under Conte's guidance, we may see new dimensions added to Tottenham's playing style.
One area where Tottenham could improve is in their midfield creativity. While the double pivot of Hojbjerg and Bentancur offers a solid defensive foundation, the team often lacks creativity in midfield. If Tottenham are to compete with the best teams in the Premier League, they may need to add a creative midfielder to their squad.
Another area where Tottenham could improve is in their ability to break down deep-lying defenses. While the team's attacking play can be devastating on the counter-attack, they can struggle when faced with a team that sits deep and defends in numbers. Conte may need to come up with new tactics to break down these types of defenses.
Overall, Conte's tactical acumen has been a positive influence on Tottenham's playing style. The team is more disciplined, organized, and balanced, and is showing signs of being able to compete with the best teams in the Premier League. With the right additions to the squad and continued development under Conte's guidance, Tottenham could become a serious contender for silverware in the future.
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