After a creditable 1-1 draw against Spain on Friday, Antonio Conte’s Italy were humiliated by world champions Germany in their international friendly in Munich on Tuesday.
Italian fans’ optimism following the Azzurri‘s result against Spain was short lived, with Germany scoring two goals in either half on Tuesday to consign Conte’s men to a heavy defeat.
AS Roma winger Stephan El Shaarawy did manage to pull one goal back for the Italians in the 83rd minute, but it was far too late by then for the Azzurri to make a comeback in the match.
Italy manager Antonio Conte, who is set to leave his post after Euro 2016, acknowledged that there is a gap in quality between his side and Europe’s best teams.
“I had said beforehand we needed these important tests to evaluate ourselves. We certainly met the best side, and that includes Spain last week,” Conte was quoted as saying by Italian outlet Rai Sport [via FourFourTwo]. “We saw, we worked, the lads gave all they had to give and now we’ll evaluate the situation.
“I repeat, there was no need to act triumphant after Spain and we realise there is a gap to be bridged to the other team. Now we’ll wait for the season to end and try to pick the best players,.
“To play with a high tempo and intensity, you need it in your legs. It was inevitable some would suffer the effects of Friday’s games and that too will be evaluated.”
Can Conte be a success in the Premier League?
While Conte was a huge influence in the resurrection of Juventus, he has been a bit predictable with his formations throughout his career as a manager. Conte is generally known to favour the 3-5-2 — or a 5-3-2 — with two wing-backs operating on either side of the three-man defence or midfield.
The Italian has also show an affinity for using two strikers up front — evident even from his days at Bari, where he used an attacking 4-2-4 formation. With Conte being heavily linked with a move to Chelsea, it has been questioned whether such formations would work in the Premier League. However, teams like Leicester City and Watford have used two strikers up front to devastating effect this season.
Conte will certainly be an interesting addition to the Premier League if he does move in the summer as is widely expected, but the 46-year-old might have to show a bit more flexibility with regards to his tactics if he hopes to achieve success.