Chelsea lined up with their usual three centre-backs and two wing-backs to take on Roma. Throughout the game, though, they defended with four players across the back before shifting to a flat-four with Antonio Rudiger’s entrance.
Chelsea have very few tactics, lineups or even individual players firing on all cylinders right now. They played their best game this season in a 3-5-2, which seemed to ensure that would be Antonio Conte’s preferred lineup going forward. However, AS Roma had no problems overcoming Chelsea in that formation, save for a very effective David Luiz in the destroyer role between the defensive and midfield lines.
A shift to a four-man defence is one of the likely options for Antonio Conte’s next “suit.” The club is far from ready for his idealized 4-2-4, but they are showing signs of transitioning to a new defence.
In the 3-4-3, Chelsea defend with five across the back as the wing-backs fall into line with the centre-backs. However, when Roma would move the ball towards Chelsea’s defensive third on Wednesday, Chelsea’s ball-side centre-back would move up to press the Roma ball carrier. The centre-back and wing-back would cover each other as they aimed to shut down the ball carrier’s dribbling and passing lanes, while keeping an eye on the space behind.
Must Read: Chelsea players must do better than throwing tantrums when they are subbed off
The rest of Chelsea’s defenders would shift towards that side, with the opposite side wing-back taking station at the far edge of Chelsea’s back line. Once Roma moved the ball towards the centre of the pitch, Chelsea’s line would reset into five across. However, even then the wing-back and centre-back on a given side would come out of the line more aggressively to press up, leaving four across.
This was an unusual tactic for Chelsea’s left. Gary Cahill is not the player you want to send one-on-one against an oncoming ball handler. It was also a failed tactic on Chelsea’s right. Cesar Azpilicueta’s continued subpar form made him far too easy to beat, as Alexander Kolarov mercilessly demonstrated for Roma’s opener.
Antonio Rudiger came on for Davide Zappacosta in the 77′. Rudiger played as a right-back rather than replacing Zappacosta as the wing-back. Strangely, Cesar Azpilicueta stayed in as the right centre-back and Gary Cahill then played nearly as a left-back. Had the two swapped, both would have been more comfortable and effective.
Chelsea have (knock on wood, knock on all the wood) depth at centre-back, even if those players have been inconsistent this season. Antonio Conte has enough experienced players to make a three-man defence the core of his tactics and formation. He has slightly less depth among full-backs. Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger are his best options, with Marcos Alonso close behind.
Must Read: Chelsea's 3-4-3 is past its expiration date: What will the new suit look like?
Azpilicueta deserves and may flat out need a rest. Rudiger could take his place as a right-back while Alonso returns to his pre-Chelsea position as a left-back. That may be too many changes at once for Antonio Conte, but he is reaching the point of another overhaul.
Andreas Christensen and David Luiz were both so strong as centre-back and deep defensive midfielder (“destroyer”), respectively, Conte can build a 4-1-X-Y around those two. Gary Cahill would remain the likely choice for the other centre-back.
Antonio Conte said after the game he “didn’t like the type of football that we did… it’s right to take the responsibility for this.” Other than the rapid shift to the 3-4-3 last season, Chelsea normally show signs of what Conte is planning to do next. He prefers gradual evolutions than a complete switch.
Next: Jose Mourinho using Chelsea to memory-hole his unambitious draw
The hybrid game plan against Roma, though, did not get the desired result and left him thoroughly unsatisfied. The outcome on Wednesday could send him right back to the tried-and-true 3-4-3, or full-bore into whatever he has planned next.