3–5–2
3–5–2 formation
This formation is similar to 5–3–2, but with some important tweaks: there is usually no sweeper (or libero) but rather three classic centre-backs, and the two wing-backs are oriented more towards the attack. Because of this, the most central midfielder tends to remain further back in order to help prevent counter-attacks. It also differs from the classical 3–5–2 of the WW by having a non-staggered midfield. There are several coaches claiming to be the inventors of this formation, like two-time European Cup winning manager and World Cup runner-up Ernst Happel and the unorthodox and controversial Nikos Alefantos, but the first to successfully employ it at the highest level was Carlos Bilardo, who led Argentina to win the 1986 World Cup using the 3–5–2.[65] The high point of the 3–5–2’s influence was the 1990 World Cup, with both finalists, Bilardo’s Argentina and Franz Beckenbauer’s West Germany employing it.[65]
In the last years of first decade of 2000, Gian Piero Gasperini during his years at Genoa CFC (and later in Atalanta BC) using this tactical system, in a modern way, with high pressure, speed, strength, one on one defense and ball possession helped his revival. Later, also, Italian coach Antonio Conte successfully implemented the 3–5–2 at Juventus, having won three Serie A consecutive titles between 2012 and 2014, the first unbeaten (record in a league championship with 20 contestants) and the last reaching the points record (102).[66] After coaching the Italy national team, Conte used again the 3–5–2 system at Chelsea during the 2016–17 Premier League season, leading the club to the league title and an FA Cup final. In order to properly counteract the additional forward pressure from the wing-backs in the system, other sides, including Ronald Koeman’s Everton and Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham, also used the formation against Chelsea.[67][68] At international level, Louis van Gaal utilised 3–5–2 with the Netherlands in the 2014 World Cup, in which they finished third.[69] Notably, this formation was specifically employed as a counter to the challenge of possession football used by the Spanish national side. Cesare Prandelli used it for Italy’s 1–1 draw with Spain in the group stage of Euro 2012, with some commentators seeing Daniele De Rossi as a sweeper.[70] The Netherlands used it to greater effect against Spain during the group stage of the 2014 World Cup, completing a 5–1 win. This minimised the Dutch weaknesses (inexperience in defence) and maximising their strengths (world-class forwards in Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben).[71]
Simone Inzaghi, who succeeded Antonio Conte at Inter, has helped modernize and further innovate the 3-5-2. Inzaghi’s system builds ball possession through the goalkeeper and defenders and uses midfielders who are quick and technical and capable of defending very well. Particularly innovative was his use of side midfielders, called “Quinti” in Italian (“fifths” in English) such as Federico Dimarco. Dimarco was used in a very flexible way with defensive duties in the non-possession phase (playing in the defensive line in a 5-3-2 shape), but would shift in the offensive phase. The two midfield sidemen would go up on the line of the attackers forming a four-man attack in a 3-3-4 shape.[72] In two seasons Inter managed to win four trophies (two Italian supercups and two Italian cups) along with an appearance in the 2023 UEFA Champions League final.[73]