Tactical Innovations of Italian Clubs and Their Reflection on FIFA | OneFootball

Italian football is regarded as one of the most complex ones globally, and there are many good reasons for that. Indeed, the Italian clubs have not only participated in the international cup competitions but also garnered titles. They have also added a new feel to football. Thanks to changes in behavior and the ability to think creatively and interpret well both the defensive and attacking strategies, Italian clubs have become real masters of the football field. Let’s dig a bit deeper and take a look at the most useful and efficient tactical inventions of Italian football that are applied by clubs and national teams under the FIFA umbrella.

Catenaccio: The Legendary Defensive Tactic

One of the most famous tactics in Italian football is Catenaccio — a system focused on strong defense and rapid counterattacks. Catenaccio literally translated means “lock” in Italian, so it became associated with a very tight and stiff style of playing based on defense. This strategy was most popular in the 1960s after Inter Milan was coached by Helenio Herrera. Despite being accused of being too reserved, Catenaccio has produced many champions in Italia clubs.

Newer generation Italian teams have since abandoned the strict application of the Catenaccio system but retain it in certain moments, especially against superior opposition. In Italian football, the ethos of a defender is well grounded, rapidly changing from defense into attack, and over-dependence on central defenders are some of the features.

Sarriball: A Possession-Based Approach

While serving Napoli, Maurizio Sarri introduced a new strategy — Sarriball. This tactic is grounded on ball control, fast decentralized passing, and permanent player mobility. It has made Napoli one of the most attractive teams across the European continent in the mid-late 2010s. While Catenaccio is mainly based on a low-scoring structure concentrating on defensive play, on the other hand, Sarriball emphasizes an attacking game or style of play touching on the mobility and possession of the ball. Sarri became associated with this philosophy and played his part in reviving Italian football – with a new fresh attacking style.

Sarri’s tactical skills earned him a new appointment after his glorious period at Napoli. So, the player received yet another invitation from one of the premier league big guns, Chelsea. The athlete helped the club clinch the UEFA Europa League in the 2018/19 tournament. Then, Sarri once again returned to Serie A and signed for Juventus, where he again repeated the same success of coming up with Scudetto in the year 2019-2020.

High Pressing: The Example of Juventus and Inter

Other legendary Italian coaches, such as Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri, contributed significantly to the development of high-pressing tactics and compact defensive lines while managing the two strongest clubs in Serie A, Inter Milan and Juventus. Conte and Allegri’s approaches emphasized the importance of pressing in the opponent’s half, enabling Italian teams to win the ball back quickly and transition into attack instantly. This required a well-coordinated team effort and high levels of physical fitness, showcasing the tactical ingenuity that has characterized Italian football for decades. The successful implementation of these tactics has resulted in eight Scudetti winning during their tenures. This has made this tactic one of the most effective in Serie A over the past decades.

Italian Football Tactics in the FIFA Video Game

FIFA is a well-loved game boasting an army of football fans from all over the world. Many of the real-life tactics are widely used there, with Catenaccio and possession-based tactics being the most popular ones. This is well illustrated in FIFA’s Career Mode, where a player can not only select a club and pick footballers but also decide on the football strategy.

Another outstanding feature of FIFA is the ability to trade through an in-game foreign exchange – FIFA Coins. The latter makes it possible to purchase new players, make necessary exchanges in the club, and build a strong team. The more coins you have, the easier it becomes to build the “dream team” and unlock a variety of tactics to use effectively.

For example, Catenaccio or possession-based tactics are very effective when you are using brilliant A-class players in your virtual team. For instance, if you have stars like Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, or Marco Verratti on your side, you are free to opt for any strategy. For those who want to build a strong team right here and right now, there is always an option to buy FIFA coins. This makes the process of building the “dream team” way easier and faster. In turn, FIFA Coins helps obtain the best football players and adjust strategies to triumph on the online football field.

Final Say!

Italian football clubs have always been at the forefront of tactical innovation. Their ability to balance between defensive and attacking systems continues to inspire coaches and fans worldwide. These tactical breakthroughs have also made their way into the virtual world of FIFA, where players can employ legendary Italian tactics like Catenaccio or Sarriball to achieve victory. With the use of FIFA coins, any tactic becomes even more accessible and effective, as a stronger team allows for more intricate and successful tactical strategies.