Dat depth, baby. No way we're not playing 3-5-2 next season.
Code:
Buffon
(Storari/Leali)
Barzagli Bonucci Chiellini
(Caceres) (Lucio)
Lichtsteiner De Ceglie
(Caceres/Isla) (Giaccherini/Pepe/Armero?)
Marchisio Pirlo Vidal
(Asamoah/Padoin/Giaccherini) (Pogba) (Isla/Marrone/Pepe)
???(RVP?) Giovinco
(Matri/Quagliarella) (Vucinic)
On Pepe
Pepe and Giaccherini are the biggest losers of this formation as they both typically play up high on the wings in a 4-3-3. They can both play in the middle as CM who are allowed to roam forward (see Giaccherini in Coppa Italia, Pepe against Napoli) but with the depth we have, it's unlikely that they'd be called upon to play in either positions unless we have big injuries to deal with, or our players need rest.
A 4-3-3 looks also interesting. I won't bother with the depth chart, but Giovinco out on the left with Vucinic behind him, our mystery striker in the centre with Matri/Quagliarella behind him, and Pepe/Giaccherini sharing the role on the right. Theoretically, we can play with someone like RVP out wide on the right and Matri/Quagliarella in the middle, but I just don't see Conte a) wasting the clinical finishing that someone like RVP brings by putting them in, basically, a supporting role in a 4-3-3, or b) chaining Lichtsteiner to defensive duties which would be required with a player like that on our right is offensive minded. Lichtsteiner and Caceres were too good going forward to let that happen. I really think Simone Pepe's role in this squad is going to matter a great deal on what formation Conte decides to stick with. That, and Isla playing outwide on the right is also a big threat to Pepe's starting jersey in a 4-3-3.
He's not nearly as good in wingback, but I'll still use him for his telepathic understanding with Pirlo.
