Three things to look for in Chelsea at Juventus: 3-5-2 or 3-4-3?
2. Formation
Tuchel is heading into his ninth month in charge at Stamford Bridge and up until Saturday, there was never really any question of what formation he’d deploy his side in. The Blues experimented with a four at the back against Leeds United one early Saturday toward the end of last season. The idea was birthed and subsequently killed at Elland Road though. However, following the acquisition of Romelu Lukaku and decision not to move on from Timo Werner, ideas started floating around about Chelsea’s shape this season. These rumblings turned to legitimate questions on Saturday as the German lined his team up in a 3-5-2.
The 3-5-2—similar to the 4-2-3-1 at Leeds—was an utter failure. The Blues looked flat, mistake-prone and they failed to play the way Tuchel expected them to throughout each match. Nevertheless, the former is not as drastic of a tactical change as last season’s trial. This raises questions about how Chelsea will set up against Juventus.
These predictions only get more challenging when one factors in a number of key players missing in attack. The Blues will be without Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic in Turin, so their options are limited. Lukaku and Werner both enjoyed their most successful seasons to date lined up in a two-striker system. The 3-5-2 showed flashes of promising play against Man City, but will Tuchel risk minimal service once again after the stale showing on Saturday? Hakim Ziyech is not in form, Callum Hudson-Odoi could be considered for the opening at right wingback and Kai Havertz has looked off the pace as of late. A Lukaku-Werner partnership up top could be the visitors’ best option as it tests the athleticism of Juventus’ aging back line.
On the other hand, the 3-4-3 is what has worked for Chelsea since Tuchel took charge. The midfield pivot of Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic played teams like Atletico Madrid off the pitch when given the opportunity last year. The presence of wingers gives the wingbacks on either side a reliable outlet when being pressed in possession. The familiar formation also allows the Blues to overload certain spaces and create mismatches all over the pitch. The old adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” certainly applies to this scenario.
Tuchel’s final formational verdict at the Allianz Stadium will go a long way in revealing his thought process. A manager known for his constant changes could either play it safe or commit to trying new things. Either way, Chelsea is sort of forced into a corner with the injuries it has sustained.