5 – THE MASTER TACTICS OF CONTE
Saturday September 24, 18:15 – This is when Chelsea’s season really changed.
As Michael Oliver signalled half-time at the Emirates Stadium, Conte knew the game was up, goals from Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil meant defeat at Arsenal was now unavoidable.
But it was the reaction this brought from the Italian that will go down in Stamford Bridge folklore.
The 4-2-4 that had served Conte so well with Siena and Bari was out and a three-man defence – utilised dazzlingly at Juventus and with Italy – would be the solkid foundation for a goalless second half, and then 13 wins in a row. 13, in a row.
The system – and those who fit it best – has become set in stone.
Thirteen times in the league this season, Chelsea’s team has read: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Pedro, Hazard; Costa.
It is a solid system that has served the Italian well in the past, and has now once again given him exactly what he needs to succeed.
It’s very ironic that in a way, losing to bitter rivals Arsenal, was the best thing to happen to Chelsea this season – a real wake up call, that resulted in glory.
