Share

cover art for Ancelotti, Conte and the tactics of Italian managers

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

Ancelotti, Conte and the tactics of Italian managers

In this episode, we’re talking Italian managers.


Specifically… Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte.


Ancelotti will be joining the Brazilian men’s national team this summer, drawing his second spell at Real Madrid to a close.


Meanwhile, Antonio Conte could be about to win the Scudetto with a third Italian club… potentially adding Napoli to his successes with Juventus and Internazionale.


Broadly speaking, Ancelotti has been more successful in European competitions — with Conte having a better success rate bringing home the domestic bacon.


But is there something in their tactical philosophies that has caused this? That’s what we talk about in this episode.


Host: Michael Bailey


With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme.


Producer: Steve Hankey.

More episodes

View all episodes

  • Who has the most settled squad in the Premier League?

    28:08|
    This week — we’re talking the tactics of squad rotation…Who are the most and least stable Premier League clubs in how they use their players?And does stability equal success?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam TharmeProducer: Mike Stavrou
  • Has Salah actually declined?

    36:15|
    This week — we’re talking about the tactics surrounding player power.Can stars be given total freedom, or is the collective more important?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam TharmeProducer: Mike Stavrou
  • Who are the Premier League's most versatile players?

    36:57|
    On this episode, we run through some of the high profile players to have switched positions in the Premier League recently.Also - what makes players flexible? And who excels in multiple roles?Host: Michael BaileyGuests: Liam Tharme, Michael Cox, Cerys JonesProducer: Mike Stavrou
  • Can Spurs and Frank make it work?

    37:32|
    This week — we’re discussing how managers make the jump from a relatively small club, to one of the big guns, and with a particular focus on Thomas Frank at Tottenham Hotspur.Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox, Duncan Alexander and Liam TharmeProducer: Mike Stavrou
  • Have Arsenal built the Premier League’s best ever defence?

    29:28|
    This week - we’re asking if defence really wins you titles.Should you build your team around a solid defence — or a free-flowing attack?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox, Duncan Alexander and Liam TharmeProducer: Mike Stavrou
  • Why are defensive midfielders scoring so many goals?

    39:15|
    This week, we’re tackling the defensive midfield position.How has it evolved, who does it best and why are they suddenly scoring loads of goals?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox and Mark Carey Producer: Mike Stavrou
  • Champions League notebook

    48:04|
    The Champions League returned this week with some huge clashes and intriguing results. So, at the halfway point of the league phase — how are the favourites shaping up, and who has caught our eye on Europe’s biggest stage?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam TharmeProducers: Mike Stavrou, Ben Green & Steve Hankey
  • How to fix Liverpool

    38:57|
    The defending Premier League champions have lost four league matches in a row.So, where is it going wrong for Arne Slot’s Liverpool — and crucially, how do they fix their issues?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam TharmeProducer: Mike Stavrou
  • A guide to the 4-4-2 formation

    37:38|
    This season there have been zero instances of teams starting with a 4-4-2 in the Premier League. In the late 2000s the majority of teams lined up in a 4-4-2 - but since then, that figure has been steadily dropping.We find out why.Host: Michael BaileyWith: Mark Carey, Liam Tharme and Michael CoxProducer: Mike Stavrou