Juventus 4-3-3 Formation 1996

Italian giants Juventus played with a 4-3-3 formation when they won the Champions League by beating Ajax in the 1996 final. The 4-3-3 formation consists of four defenders, three midfielders and three attackers. This system of play is a development of the 4-2-4 the Brazilian national team played with when they won the 1958 FIFA World Cup. One of the first teams in the history of football to use the 4-3-3 formation was the Brazilian national team coached by Moreira in the 1962 FIFA World Cup. The Brazilians were using a 4-2-4 formation but Zagallo dropped to the midfield to create a new system of play. The 4-3-3 formation was also used by successful Dutch teams in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Teams that use the 4-3-3 formation normally have a flat back four (the sweeper system was used by many teams from the 1960s to the 1980s). The midfield can be arranged in a linear or triangular organization. The triangular organization can be defensive or offensive in character. The defensive form of the triangular organization has two players in the bottom of the triangle, while the offensive form has one player in the bottom and two on the top. Marcello Lippi's Juventus organized their midfield in a line when they defeated Ajax (1-1 aet, 4-2 on penalties) in the 1996 Champions League Final. The trio Deschamps, Sousa and Conte formed a dynamic midfield that was well supported by the other lines. Del Piero, Vialli and Ravanelli possessed offensive qualities that made it easy for defenders and midfielders to set them up. Vierchowod and Ferrara were central defenders and Pessotto and Torricelli were wing-backs. Juventus played with long balls either behind Ajax's defensive line or towards Ravanelli's head or chest. This meant that the midfield had time to push forward and help the offensive trio. Apart from the long ball, the wing-backs were used to create width, which is a must when a team plays 4-3-3. Juventus had a physically strong team that managed to create coherence between the lines. Juventus starting eleven in the 1996 Champions League Final Goalkeeper: Angelo Peruzzi Peruzzi played more than 200 matches for Juventus and he was capped 31 times with Italy. Peruzzi was a hero when he saved the penalties from Davids and Silooy in the penalty shoot-out against Ajax. Central-defenders: Pietro Vierchowod and Ciro Ferrara Vierchowod was an experienced man to man marker. The 37-year old created a strong defensive duo with Ciro Ferrara. Ferrara was capped 49 times and played over 250 matches with Juventus. He was one of the best defenders of his generation. Wing-backs: Gianluca Pessotto and Moreno Torricelli Although right-footed, Pessotto played on the left side of the pitch. He scored on his penalty in the penalty shoot-out. Right-back Torricelli played football on a part-time basis when Juventus played a friendly against his amateur club Caratese. They liked him and the 22-year old amateur was purchased by the Italian giants. Torricelli played with a lot of heart and was liked by the fans. Midfielders: Paolo Sousa, Antonio Conte and Didier Deschamps The fact that all three in this Juventus midfield today are coaches explains the intelligence this trio had. Paulo Sousa was the director of the midfield. He had great vision and was an excellent passer. Conte played over 400 matches for Juve and he is a real legend for their fans. He was a fantastic midfielder who combined both quality in attack and strong defensive work. Deschamps had a winning spirit and was one of the best defensive midfielders in the 1990s. He was an ideal partner for Paulo Sousa and Conte. They created one of the best midfields in the history of Champions League Football. Attackers: Fabrizio Ravanelli, Gianluca Vialli and Alessandro Del Piero Ravanelli was the striker who was famous for his white hair. He was one of Europe's best goalscorers in the 1990s. Vialli was the captain of Juventus in the Final against Ajax. He was very strong and a very good finisher inside the box. Del Piero is a Juventus legend and one of the greatest superstars of his generation. He played 19 seasons for Juventus until he was released in the summer of 2012. Del Piero holds the club records both for goals (290) and appearances (705).