Capello's Juventus 2004-2006

[Der General]

Hi! I started a career during this Covid lockdown, experimenting with tactics in Italy. Since the beginning in Viterbese, I’ve had an idea to start some tactical threads, but only now did I have the time to actually write a piece. The tactics won’t be published chronologically, but from now on, I’ll probably start a thread for each of the clubs I’m managing. I’ll recreate a historical tactic from an Italian squad (not necessarily the team I’m managing).

Moving on with my Italian adventure, I was approached by Juventus after Roma. Looking at the squad, it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss. After the fall of Sarriball, I wanted to restore the real spirit of Juventus, from squad building to tactics.

I didn’t even need to look for inspiration in their historical sides, there is one squad I was impressed with, but never lived up to its potential – Capello’s 2004-2006 Juventus.

Resources

• Hello Capello
• Capello's Masterpiece
• Fabio Capello Wiki

 

Theory

“At Juventus, Capello rejected the club's board members' requests to field a three-man front line and once again reverted to his preferred 4–4–2 formation. Capello won consecutive league titles, and put together a balanced and efficient side which was built upon a strong and highly organised back-line, which was further supported by two dynamic, defensive-minded box-to-box midfielders in the centre, such as Manuele Blasi, Stephen Appiah, Alessio Tacchinardi, Emerson, and later Patrick Vieira, who both alternated defensive and playmaking duties in midfield; the team's attacking wingers, Pavel Nedvěd and Mauro Camoranesi, were required both to drop back defensively and also assist the strikers from an offensive standpoint.”

Key concepts:

• Structured 4-4-2 shape in defense
• Tight at the back
• Physically dominant squad, especially in central areas
• Wingers heavily involved in all phases

I do believe his rigidity was the key factor of unsuccessful CL campaigns in both 2005 and 2006, but this Juve literally destroyed Serie A opponents through physical dominance.

Tactical Style

Capello’s Juventus was a counter-attacking team. Able to sit back and absorb pressure, with swift counter-attacks. However, they were not shy of pressing the opponents once they’ve lost the ball. In case the ball was not won, they would defend zonally in 4-4-2.

This would explain some of the instructions. After some trial and error with previous teams, I’ve learned that Balanced mentality provides an excellent base for counter-attacking tactics. In order to actually perform lethal counter-attacks, the players must be positioned behind the ball – but that will be addressed later.

Quick attacks require a bit higher tempo than the Balanced mentality offers, along with riskier passes into space. It was often the strategy to utilize wingers and Trezeguet.

Counter-attacks are a must in transition, along with counter-press. However, note that this is significantly different from Klopp-like heavy metal pressing.

In order to execute pressing and create a more structured team (as opposed to fluid), the lines would be separated – Line of engagement is higher.

Formation

 

"I'm gonna knock Ajax out of your body," he [Capello] said. "I don't need that Dutch style. One, two, one, two, play the wall, play nice and technical. Dribble through the whole team. I can get by without that. I need goals. You understand? I need to get that Italian mindset into you. You've got to get that killer instinct." 

• Forwards are not heavily included in defensive play – their role is to score some goals. However, I didn’t expect a Capocannoniere from my squad, as goals were distributed between world-class forwards.
• Wingers are the key players, involved in virtually all phases
• Fullbacks retain a default role, but interpret it differently due to player traits

Player Roles

Goalkeeper (Defend): N/A

Right Full Back (Support): Cross More Often

Central Defender (Defend): N/A

Central Defender (Defend): N/A

Left Full Back (Support): Cross More Often

Right Wide Midfielder (Support): Cut Inside With Ball, Roam From Position

Central Midfielder (Support): N/A

Central Midfielder (Defend): N/A

Left Wide Midfielder (Support): Cut Inside With Ball, Roam From Position

Deep Lying Forward (Support): N/A

Advanced Forward (Attack): N/A

 Nedved and Camoranesi were the only players with any freedom in the team, therefore allowed to roam within a structured system. Fullbacks provide width, but don’t rush forward too much (except from Zambrotta/Adjapong).

 

The Squad

Squad building was challenging for this one – complete wingers such as Nedved are difficult to find nowdays, so I had to improvise.

Key principles

Mostly Italian squad

Physically dominant players, especially in central areas

Avg. height 184cm, mentally strong squad, possibly used in a totally wrong way, due to their technical ability.

 

Goal Analysis

Two beautiful banks of four in defensive phase, Pellegri waiting for the counter. Zaniolo recovers the ball, runs down the wing and crosses for Pellegri’s easy finish.

Pressing is executed after a throw-in. Skriniar is pressed by Esposito and his only option is the goalkeeper. Pellegri intercepts the pass and scores for the Champions League title.

Special thanks to @Ö-zil to the Arsenal! for the structure of the thread and inspiration on starting my own series this year!

[DimitrisLar]

THAT TEAM! As a juventus fan since 95, im glad to see that team recreated in FM. I tried it too in 2008 with G. Rossi - Andy Carrol playing the central duo in attack  Most games won 1-0 hah! They were knocked out of cl in 2005 cause Ibra lost a shot from 1-2 meters whith no GK in front of him. Liverpool had a very  difficult mission otherwise. Second leg in Liverpool and del piero was having great combinations (and also should have been given a penalty).

Do you remember that Capello was trying to force Del Piero out of his starting 11, or maybe out of the club, and everytime he subbed Ibra or Mutu there was a goal from Del Piero who came in!

Great to see m8. Thanks a lot the memories!

[coach vahid]

Great thread.

Congratulations. 👏

Edited April 12, 2020 by coach vahid

[coach vahid]

Il y a 2 heures, Der General a dit :

I do believe his rigidity was the key factor of unsuccessful CL campaigns in both 2005 and 2006, but this Juve literally destroyed Serie A opponents through physical dominance

Completely agree. 

Remember the game vs Arsenal at Delle Alpi and it was like they dont want to attack for win. 

[Optimal-Kiwi]

LOVE this thread!!!

I’ve always found Serie A 80s-90s the most interesting period so will be amazing to see a few examples (Lippi's Juve with Zidane in the diamond also really cool)

Will be watching closely as I’ve never been able to work out tactics in FM

 

Edited April 12, 2020 by Optimal-Kiwi

[Jean0987654321]

Looks like a good tactic but it's wrong if you want to emulate that team. From watching Serie A on tape delay via the then-PBS affiliate WNYE (and live on GolTV/FSC), I have great remembrance of that team.

 

Zambrotta was an attacking FB. Chiellini was more of a disciplined FB. I don't remember him coming forward too often. Zlatan was a CF while Trezeguet was more of a classic 9 (AF is fine). Emerson was DLP (d). Very disciplined but he has good ball playing abilities. Viera could be either RPM or a SV (a) depending on how you shape your tactic. He made a lot late runs into the box.

Pablo Nedved was a WP (a). He certainly was more attacking than you put him in. Hit a lot of killer balls and cut in often. Cameronesi I agree he was a WM (s). Zambrotta and him tend to overlap and underlap each other.

 

I don't remember much pressing from this side. Capello was in a stage of his career when his team would regroup and put 8 or 9 men behind the ball and play narrow and compact. The only time they would press is if the ball was in their own half. But the first priority was to get back into shape.

Edited April 12, 2020 by Jean0987654321

[Robson 07]

5 hours ago, Der General said:

Key concepts:

• Structured 4-4-2 shape in defence
• Tight at the back

I do believe his rigidity was the key factor

Talk that structure and rigidity are key.  Certainly sounds like Capello to me.

But then you have chosen six roles with a support duty.  I don't follow the logic of that?  Not in the sense of this being a recreation.  I bet Team Fluidity doesn't say structured.

[coach vahid]

il y a 10 minutes, Robson 07 a dit :

Talk that structure and rigidity are key.  Certainly sounds like Capello to me.

But then you have chosen six roles with a support duty.  I don't follow the logic of that?  Not in the sense of this being a recreation.  I bet Team Fluidity doesn't say structured.

But more fluidity means more compactness too.

[Der General]

9 hours ago, Jean0987654321 said:

Looks like a good tactic but it's wrong if you want to emulate that team. From watching Serie A on tape delay via the then-PBS affiliate WNYE (and live on GolTV/FSC), I have great remembrance of that team.

Zambrotta was an attacking FB. Chiellini was more of a disciplined FB. I don't remember him coming forward too often. Zlatan was a CF while Trezeguet was more of a classic 9 (AF is fine). Emerson was DLP (d). Very disciplined but he has good ball playing abilities. Viera could be either RPM or a SV (a) depending on how you shape your tactic. He made a lot late runs into the box.

Pablo Nedved was a WP (a). He certainly was more attacking than you put him in. Hit a lot of killer balls and cut in often. Cameronesi I agree he was a WM (s). Zambrotta and him tend to overlap and underlap each other.

I don't remember much pressing from this side. Capello was in a stage of his career when his team would regroup and put 8 or 9 men behind the ball and play narrow and compact. The only time they would press is if the ball was in their own half. But the first priority was to get back into shape.

I won't say you are wrong, but you are not completely right as well, since you are not looking at the whole picture. Zambrotta was an attacking FB indeed. However, Zebina on the right wasn't. The only reason why - they interpret the role in a completely different way. This is something I used here, focused on the squad building and utilized default roles in order to complement them.

Zaniolo/Nedved cuts inside, Zaracho/Camoranesi as well. Vieira/Pogba gets forward whenever possible, even with a CM role. Everyone passes into space (TI selected).

The only thing I'd change would be Zlatan's role. However, CF tends to work a lot better when used as a lone striker, so I went on with this. Del Piero/Zlatan were also different interpretations of the role.

As for pressing - they would press the defense, and then get back into shape. I've looked through a lot of matches during the past few weeks, I'm positive about pressing. However, it doesn't look nearly as intensive as nowadays. As for shape, you can see in the screenshots.

 

8 hours ago, Robson 07 said:

Talk that structure and rigidity are key.  Certainly sounds like Capello to me.

But then you have chosen six roles with a support duty.  I don't follow the logic of that?  Not in the sense of this being a recreation.  I bet Team Fluidity doesn't say structured.

Stop thinking in FM terms, use your logic. Does the defense in the screenshot look structured (2 banks of four)? Is the striker isolated upfront, waiting for the ball?

[Robson 07]

2 hours ago, Der General said:

Stop thinking in FM terms, use your logic.

It's kind of difficult not to.  This is a FM site and you are using FM language.

It may be a fine tactic, and if so I congratulate you  wholeheartedly.  Successful tactics are always an achievement.

You're right, my observation was easy and quick to make.  Using a balanced mentality and all those support roles is - in FM terms  - either going to be fluid or very fluid.   Those support roles will ensure the team plays as a unit and the forwards contribute to defensive as well as attacking phases. 

On the other hand however, you have also quoted Capello in the OP knocking Ajax and saying it isn't Dutch style.  Do you fee that is the case with your tactic?

May I ask a quick question?  Do you know what sort of possession numbers Capello's side got and how does that compare with what you are seeing?

Edited April 13, 2020 by Robson 07

[Der General]

They didn't care much about possession. Neither do I  It varied from 35% to 65%. I'll share some stats from Champions League matches:

https://m.football-lineups.com/match/17121/

https://m.football-lineups.com/match/17115/

https://m.football-lineups.com/match/17101/

https://m.football-lineups.com/match/15449/

https://m.football-lineups.com/match/7365/

https://m.football-lineups.com/match/7364/

https://m.football-lineups.com/match/7361/

Comparing to what I'm getting - pretty similar. For example, Manchester United in CL 1/4F:

Averages in CL and Serie A

It most certainly doesn't feel Dutch, the attacks are simple, without useless passes across the field. Against a weaker opponent, faced with a defensive opponent (Serie A mostly), I managed solid 60s, but with stronger, more open sides, 30s to 40s were maximal.

[DimitrisLar]

On 13/04/2020 at 00:20, Jean0987654321 said:

Zambrotta was an attacking FB. Chiellini was more of a disciplined FB. I don't remember him coming forward too often. Zlatan was a CF while Trezeguet was more of a classic 9 (AF is fine). Emerson was DLP (d). Very disciplined but he has good ball playing abilities. Viera could be either RPM or a SV (a) depending on how you shape your tactic. He made a lot late runs into the box.

Pablo Nedved was a WP (a). He certainly was more attacking than you put him in. Hit a lot of killer balls and cut in often. Cameronesi I agree he was a WM (s). Zambrotta and him tend to overlap and underlap each other.

zambrotta was playing at the left, zebina was on the right. he bought him in a duo packet along with emerson. chiellini was just bought from fiorentina and played only at LB in cup matches or if zambrotta was injured.  Nedved was a runner with an eye for the pass also but his trademark was his runs, he was terrifying. he runned outside and inside of a defense.

[Jean0987654321]

1 hour ago, DimitrisLar said:

zambrotta was playing at the left, zebina was on the right. he bought him in a duo packet along with emerson. chiellini was just bought from fiorentina and played only at LB in cup matches or if zambrotta was injured.  Nedved was a runner with an eye for the pass also but his trademark was his runs, he was terrifying. he runned outside and inside of a defense.

Yeah...actually you're right. Zebina was more of a disciplined FB from my memory.

[DimitrisLar]

2 minutes ago, Jean0987654321 said:

Yeah...actually you're right. Zebina was more of a disciplined FB from my memory.

juve fan since 96! football fan since 2001! Huh! :P