Qarabag were the perfect opposition for Chelsea’s wing-backs to explore their forthcoming role in the 3-5-2. Marcos Alonso and Davide Zappacosta controlled the game with their positioning, ball movement and improvisation.
Chelsea have played a hybrid formation in their last two games, with the names on the team-sheet not always lining up and playing as one would expect. Against Leicester City, Cesc Fabregas nominally started in central midfield but played much of the game high and wide as a quasi-winger. In that game and then against Qarabag, Pedro also seemed to suffer from positional and tactical uncertainty, even beyond that which normally comes from his hyperactivity.
Neither player fared well in the mixed role, as both are ill-suited for those tasks. And, in both cases, they were trying to fill some small part of the gap Eden Hazard left vacant.
While the forward situation suffered from not having two wingers as in a 3-4-3 and not having a competent second (or shadow) striker as a 3-5-2 with Eden Hazard will, Chelsea’s wing-backs mastered their role against Qarabag. Marcos Alonso and Davide Zappacosta were Chelsea’s most overtly potent players in the Champions League return. Even without his wondrously unintentional goal, Zappacosta showed how much he has learned (or already knew) of Antonio Conte’s expectations.
Must Read: Andreas Christensen, Davide Zappacosta lead Chelsea's player ratings vs. Qarabag
In the 3-5-2, Conte will expect his wing-backs to take a more offensive role than they would in the 3-4-3. Without the outside forwards, Chelsea will need Alonso and Zappacosta to not only set the ball into the box via crosses, but to support the play directly by moving into the box.
Alonso came central more against Qarabag than he has in any game so far. With Chelsea in control of the play, Alonso was free to come inside to the top of the box, looking for passes and sending stray balls back in towards the forwards. Given Chelsea’s light opposition, he could do so knowing that N’Golo Kante and Gary Cahill could cover his defensive duties if necessary. As a result, Alonso had both a powerful shot from about 15 yards out on the right side of the box to go with his attempt on the left flank to imitate Zappacosta’s strike.
Passmaps & xGplot for Chelsea against FK Qarabag. #passmap #xGplot #autotweet pic.twitter.com/BlTNROxDR1
— 11tegen11 (@11tegen11) September 13, 2017
The enhanced offensive role is one reason Antonio Conte is so cautious and meticulous about Zappacosta’s physical conditioning. If the wing-backs play higher and in more congested areas of the pitch, there will be a gap for the opposition to get in behind on the counter-attack. N’Golo Kante and Tiemoue Bakayoko can secure the central midfield, but Alonso and Zappacosta will need to retreat at a sprint to back up their centre-backs.
Alonso is not the fastest Blue, but he has already shown better pace and movement this season than last. Zappacosta surprised even Conte with his explosiveness as he ran through midfield en route to his goal. That acceleration and sprint heading in the other direction will be a necessary component of his game in the 3-5-2 .
Next: Chelsea's predicted 3-5-2 for Premier League clash with Arsenal
Chelsea have six games remaining this month. That presents Antonio Conte a range of scenarios to practice tactics as well as experiment with lineups and rotation. By the end of September, Davide Zappacosta should be fully fit and will be Marcos Alonso’s likely counter-part on the right.