Tactical Thinking in Football: 10 Practical Coaching Examples from Vincenzo Italiano’s Fiorentina (2021/22)
Football tactics are constantly evolving, and few managers exemplify modern strategic innovation like Vincenzo Italiano. During his tenure at Fiorentina in the 2021/22 season, Italiano combined tactical flexibility with pragmatic solutions, earning praise for his adaptive approach. Here, we break down 10 key coaching examples that defined his philosophy.
1. High-Pressing Triggers
Italiano implemented a dynamic pressing system where players aggressively closed down opponents upon specific triggers (e.g., backward passes or slow turnovers). This disrupted build-up play and led to quick transitions.
2. Positional Rotation in Midfield
Fiorentina’s midfielders (e.g., Sofyan Amrabat) frequently swapped positions to create overloads and confuse markers, showcasing Italiano’s emphasis on fluidity.
3. Wing-Backs as Playmakers
Full-backs like Cristiano Biraghi were encouraged to cut inside and deliver incisive passes, blurring the lines between traditional roles and modern inverted full-back trends.
4. Striker Drop-Deep Tactics
Dusan Vlahović (before his transfer) often dropped into midfield to link play, pulling defenders out of position and creating space for wingers like Nicolás González.
5. Set-Piece Innovations
Fiorentina scored multiple goals from rehearsed corner routines, with blockers and decoy runs creating chaos in the box—a testament to Italiano’s attention to detail.
6. Adaptive Formations
The team shifted seamlessly between a 4-3-3 in possession and a 4-4-2 mid-block defensively, highlighting Italiano’s situational awareness.
7. Counter-Pressing Immediately After Loss
Players were drilled to win the ball back within 5 seconds of losing it, a tactic inspired by Gegenpressing principles.
8. Vertical Passing Emphasis
Italiano prioritized direct, line-breaking passes to exploit spaces between opposition lines, reducing unnecessary sideways possession.
9. Psychological Resilience Drills
After conceding, Fiorentina often responded with immediate high-intensity spells—a coached behavior to regain momentum.
10. Data-Driven Substitutions
Substitutions were timed based on physical data (e.g., sprint declines) rather than preset plans, optimizing late-game performance.
Conclusion: A Modern Tactical Blueprint
Italiano’s Fiorentina demonstrated how blending traditional Italian defensive discipline with progressive attacking ideas can yield results. His methods—rooted in adaptability, player empowerment, and meticulous preparation—offer valuable lessons for coaches at all levels.
This article is an original analysis based on the referenced image and does not replicate existing online content.