This week we look at Antonio Conte’s new and improved Inter Milan.

Conte known for playing a 352 in his Italy and Juventus days in addition to his 343 at Chelsea is a mastermind when it comes to this system.

For Inter and the 352 there are several attributes in Conte’s system.

Key Features:

Build up: Playing against a Lecce 532 Inter used a 4v2 to play to work ball into opponents half.  Playing with diamind shape, DM occupies Lecce’s 2 strikers which in turn allows Inters LCB and RCB to step into midfield. This in turn advances the wing backs higher up the field.

Central combination: Good weighted passes into the strikers. A key feature is Lukaku and Martinez up front who stay close to each other and look to combine whenever possible. Lukaku in particular looks like a new player and is now playing to his back to goal more, holding the ball up, laying off and looking to slip his team mates in. This is a remarkable component of his game where he was not great back to goal in his United days. Having a striker partner right next to him allows him to combine more.

Attacking wide areas. Due to central occupation from both strikers this in turn narrows the Lecce back-line.  When ball is moved to wing backs they have the opportunity to attack 1v1 or what is common is an attacking midfielder looking to run in behind to half space, between center back and wing back. This then can free up more room centrally.

Crossing features: first time balls very common but also getting at the defender 1v1 at pace is key. With the addition of Victor Moses and Ashley Young at Inter this is an area that needs strengthening as cross selection and end product are inconsistent. Positioning without the ball also from the win backs did leave Inter vulnerable on occasions in transition.

High press: Inter look to congest centrally, force ball to side and then look to either win or force opponent long.  Common feature is wing back pressing opponent wing back but doing so as the BALL TRAVELS. This intensity forces Lecce into a lot of errors and long balls.

Vulnerable: At times due to high press were exposed at the back by over committing and not delaying. Inter are vulnerable here a and against a better opponent would have conceded more.

The 352 shape is one that has brought Conte great success in the past.  What is evident is Inter look like a team who believe they have the manager, players and system to challenge for the Lo Scudetto this year.