Tactical Theory: Striker movement in a 3-5-2 and how to coach it – tactical analysis

Playing with a back three has enjoyed a kind of renaissance in recent years with many top-level teams implementing the system. Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, the games elite managers who normally favour a back four, have switched to using a three on occasions in recent times. It is also, of course, the preferred system of Antonio Conte, at Chelsea and Tottenham, and Simone Inzaghi with this seasons UEFA Champions League finalists Inter.

This tactical analysis is going to focus on teams that play with two strikers in a 3-5-2 and how those forwards interact. This tactical analysis will first analyse the tactics involved in the forwards’ movements. It will then suggest how coaches can implement this tactical theory to create goalscoring opportunities.

Receiving from central areas

Inzaghi’s Inter consistently played with a front two this season. In the Champions League final, World Cup winner Lautaro Martinez was paired with Romelu Lukaku and Edin Dzeko. These pairings could be referred to as a classic “big man-little man” combination. Lukaka and Dzeko being the target men with Martinez feeding off them as a second striker.

In this example, against Sassuolo, Lukaku is playing alongside Joaquin Correa on this occasion. Both Inter forwards are playing high, up against Sassuolo’s two centre-backs. Both centre-backs being occupied is something that modern centre-backs are not as used to dealing with, and, as in this example, struggle to defend against.

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