Antonio Conte feels Italy’s 3-5-2 system is helping to invoke “respect and fear” in opponents ahead of tomorrow’s Finland friendly.
It kicks off at the Stadio Bentegodi in Verona on Monday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
“It is our last game before the Euros and clearly will be important for us to verify if the work we’ve been doing over the last couple of weeks, tactically and physically, is being assimilated,” said the Coach in a Press conference.
Antonio Conte feels Italy’s 3-5-2 system is helping to invoke “respect and fear” in opponents ahead of tomorrow’s Finland friendly.
It kicks off at the Stadio Bentegodi in Verona on Monday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
“It is our last game before the Euros and clearly will be important for us to verify if the work we’ve been doing over the last couple of weeks, tactically and physically, is being assimilated,” said the Coach in a Press conference.
“I also need a response from certain players who were recovering. It’s an important friendly, our final test before the Euro 2016 opener against Belgium.
“I don’t know if it’ll be spectacular tomorrow, as Finland chose a very defensive approach in their last two matches, so we must do well to have patience and find a way through, while also careful to defend on the counter.
“That was something we had to deal with against Scotland too, learning how to defend when there are 60 metres behind their last man and our goal.”
The Azzurri will use a 3-5-2 system, though Ciro Immobile and Simone Zaza are expected to take the striker roles. Is that a sign of what is to come?
“There will be a few changes, not that many, as we are getting closer to the Euros and must try to get certain movements to become automatic.
“We try to work and concentrate on what we need to do. The atmosphere around us, whether positive or negative, mustn’t affect us very much.
“We are working very well, I am happy with these lads, and everything outside of the training camp shouldn’t influence us.”
Conte caused controversy by giving PSG midfielder Thiago Motta the Number 10 jersey and calling up off-form Inter striker Eder.
“Thiago Motta had already resumed training last week, is in good shape and there are no fitness problems. Is it an issue of them being Oriundi? I don’t think so, as far as I am concerned they are Italian and give their all to defend the Azzurri shirt.
“Criticism is part of the game, I’ve been in football for over 30 years and it’s inevitable the media create something to spark bar-talk. The important thing is we know who the players are, what they can do and what they’ve won.”
There are reports Belgium Coach Marc Wilmots could change his tactics to mirror Italy’s 3-5-2.
“We have noticed that Coaches can change their shape to face us and that perhaps proves we create problems for them on a tactical level.
“We have a precise idea of our football and the fact other big teams change their approach to contrast us suggests they do have respect and a little fear of Italy.”
Is the Italy side ready for the competition in France?
“We worked on tactics, technique, fitness and mentality. Inevitably some arrived at the training camp in better condition, some less, but the three weeks leading up to the tournament is aimed at getting all the players at the right level.
“I want to thank the players, from here on in it’ll be tougher and tougher, so we must be prepared to face every situation in the right way.
“The video lectures are helping everyone get involved in the approach to football I want and from here on it will get interesting. If we manage to make that approach work, then we’ll be happy, but what we can promise is that we’ll continue working and nobody will pull back.”
Conte was asked if there were any other tactical systems on the horizon.
“We opened up the training sessions so you could understand our approach. After weeks of work you don’t just throw everything out the window and take a different shape. That would imply you’re winging it and I never do that.
“What counts is being aggressive, intense, attacking in numbers, defending with determination, playing with passion and hunger. Systems and numbers are cold, but what really matters is how you play.”
Juventus striker Simone Zaza is certainly not lacking in passion, but that has led him to get a few too many yellow cards.
“I want him to bring that intensity, as the strikers are the first players who we ask to press the opposition. Obviously he needs to realise his limits and when to pull back in situations that can be interpreted as dangerous by the referee.
“I certainly won’t be the one to hold him back. I like his tendency to attack the opposition and press to get the ball back. He just has to realise when it’s the right time to be that aggressive and when to calm down.”