Inter Milan have made a mockery of the preconceptions that the 3-5-2 system must inherently be “conservative” or “defensive.”

This is the view in today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews.

One thing that is certain in every Inter match is that the Nerazzurri will line up with a 3-5-2 formation.

That is the shape that is the basis of Inter coach Simone Inzaghi’s football. He had also stuck to it nearly religiously whilst in charge of Lazio.

Inzaghi is not the only coach who employs the 3-5-2 system.

Former Inter, Juventus, and Chelsea coach Antonio Conte has also tended to use the system.

It is also the shape that current Napoli and former Cagliari, Torino, and Nerazzurri coach Walter Mazzarri is associated with best.

Inter Make A Mockery Of Preconceptions About “Conservative” 3-5-2 System

The 3-5-2 shape has been in use throughout all of Europe’s major leagues for a long time. But it is perhaps most common, and certainly most strongly associated with, Italian football and Serie A.

Conte won the Serie A title three times with Juventus and once with Inter using the shape.

The Italian also won the Premier League with Chelsea. And he took Italy to a Euros semifinal using the 3-5-2 system.

Whilst Conte’s pattern of success is undeniable, that has not prevented the Italian coach from receiving criticism for a fairly “negative” style of play.

Conte is certainly a coach who puts emphasis on defensive solidity. And the three centre-backs rather than two does add more defensive presence, particularly if the wingbacks play defensively.

At times, that is how all of Inter, Chelsea, and Juventus played under Conte.

And then when Conte’s teams look to attack, they do so with very precise counterattacking moves.

That is not too far off of Mazzarri’s style.

The veteran coach enjoyed his biggest success in his first stint at the helm of Napoli. The Partenopei played a counterattck-based style.

Inzaghi has sometimes set Inter up in this manner.

The 47-year-old is a fairly versatile coach. And he has sometimes approached big matches against opponents who like to dominate the ball by focusing more on his team’s approach out of possession.

But even then, Inter have been more proactive about trying to win the ball in dangerous areas than the reputation of the 3-5-2 shape would suggest.

That was on clear display in matches against teams like Barcelona, Benfica, and Manchester City in the Champions League last season.

And as Inter showed against Lazio on Friday, they can dominate the ball too.

And when they do, the 3-5-2 shape allows for great balance in terms of movements and passing.