Conte explains his tactics using Subbuteo table

Antonio Conte took Owen Hargreaves through ‘a tactical masterclass session’ using his Subbuteo table and explaining the crucial role wing-backs have in his system.

The former England international joined the Italian tactician for a ‘tactics masterclass’ which was published on Tottenham’s official YouTube channel.

Conte, a former Italy Juventus and Inter boss explained his tactics using his Subbuteo table. It is not something he did only to shoot the video, as the ex-Italy midfielder often uses it during meetings with his staff and players. He had already used his Subbuteo table in the past, both at Inter and Tottenham.

“We use this Subbuteo to study and then sometimes to explain some tactical situations to the players. I’m at home with this. This 3-4-3 is our system, our formation, that we are using in Tottenham,” he said, as quoted by Football London.

“I think that when a coach, a manager, arrives in a new club, I think you have to pay great attention and try to exploit the characteristics of your players. Then you need to adapt your idea of football.”

The 53-year-old has won four Serie A titles as a coach, three times at Juventus and once at Inter. He signed an 18-month contract at Tottenham in November 2021 and managed to snatch a top-four finish in North London last season.

Conte also explained the importance of wing-backs in his system and praised Ivan Perisic, admitting that he ‘wasn’t convinced’ about this role in Conte’s first season at Inter. In fact, the Croat was loaned out to Bayern Munich, returning to the club in the summer of 2020.

“The wing-back is really important if you play with three at the back. They’re important because it’s no good if they are too defensive because, in this position, you need to have quality,” said Conte.

“I like to have players that in the past was a winger because in this situation they are good at one vs one,” he said.

“I remember very well that when I arrived in Chelsea, I started to play with a 4-2-3-1, but when we lost against Arsenal, I decided to change. Then I discovered Victor Moses in a really fantastic way in that position.

“It’s the same for Ivan Perisic. He was a winger and in my first season at Inter, he wasn’t so convinced about this role. He wasn’t 100% and in the first season Ivan struggled a bit and now I think he’s one of the best players in this role.”