While football continues to evolve, one trend has stood out in recent years: the rise of the back three in modern football.
As tactical demands shift, this formation has helped elite teams stay adaptable and competitive.
Tactical trends and formations shift with time, reflecting the demands of modern play.
In recent years, elite managers such as Antonio Conte, Thomas Tuchel, Xabi Alonso, and Simone Inzaghi have successfully used a three-man defence in modern football.
The system has proven particularly effective in the fast-paced, counterattacking era of contemporary football.
This article explores the teams that utilise this structure, its advantages, and the inherent risks.
Top Clubs Using a Back Three: Inter Milan, Bayer Leverkusen & Chelsea
Inter Milan’s 3-5-2 Under Conte and Inzaghi
Italian teams have long embraced three-man defensive systems, and Antonio Conte was a master of the tactic during his time at Inter Milan in the 2020/21 season. He implemented a 3-5-2 formation designed for dominant, aggressive football:
- Goalkeeper: HandanovićCentre-backs: Škriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni
- Midfielders: Brozović, Barella, Eriksen
- Wing-backs: Perišić (LWB), Hakimi (RWB)
- Forwards: Lautaro Martínez, Romelu Lukaku
This setup allowed for passing versatility and positional flexibility, enabling players to shift roles during the game.
Inter won the Serie A title that season, though Conte later parted ways with the club. Simone Inzaghi took over and further refined the structure.
Inzaghi introduced wing-backs Denzel Dumfries (RWB) and Federico Dimarco (LWB), adding speed and efficiency in wide areas. Their precise crossing proved more effective than traditional wingers.
With Lukaku’s age becoming a factor, Marcus Thuram was brought in, offering sharper movement and finishing.
Meanwhile, Hakan Calhanoglu emerged as a key creative force, linking midfield and attack.
Inzaghi’s tactical flexibility, which allows players to frequently switch roles, often overwhelms opposing defences, resulting in lethal counterattacks.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Tactical Evolution with Xabi Alonso
Before Xabi Alonso arrived in 2022, Bayer Leverkusen was in danger of relegation from the Bundesliga.
Alonso, drawing from the philosophies of Pep Guardiola and Roberto De Zerbi, implemented a 3-4-2-1 formation focused on positional play and ball control.
The transformation was remarkable: Leverkusen won their first Bundesliga title and reached the Europa League final in 2024.
- Goalkeeper: Hrádecký
- Centre-backs: Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba
- Midfielders: Xhaka, Palacios
- Wing-backs: Frimpong (RWB), Grimaldo (LWB)
- Attackers: Wirtz, Boniface, Hofmann
Alonso emphasizes fluidity, encouraging players to adapt roles during possession. This creates numerous passing options and destabilises defensive structures.
Leverkusen often overloads the right flank, drawing opponents in before switching to the left, where Grimaldo and Wirtz exploit space with late runs and incisive finishes.
This blend of Guardiola’s control and De Zerbi’s numerical superiority mirrors German football’s deep-rooted appreciation for discipline, precision, and functional systems. Alonso’s tactics epitomize this cultural and tactical harmony.
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Chelsea’s 3-4-2-1 and Tuchel’s Tactical Masterclass
Despite recent criticism for underwhelming tenures at Bayern Munich and PSG, Thomas Tuchel’s spell at Chelsea remains a coaching masterclass.
In 2021, he led the club to an unexpected UEFA Champions League triumph by deploying a highly disciplined 3-4-2-1 formation, built for compact defence and rapid counterattacks.
- Goalkeeper: Mendy
- Centre-backs: Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Rüdiger
- Wing-backs: Reece James (RWB), Ben Chilwell (LWB)
- Midfielders: Kanté, Jorginho
- Attacking Midfielders: Mount, Havertz or Werner
- Striker: Havertz, occasionally Werner or Giroud
This system relied on structured buildup, short passing, and positional discipline. The centre-backs contributed to line-breaking passes, while the wing-backs stretched the field.
Mount and Havertz often dropped into pockets between lines or made diagonal runs to create overloads.
The real strength lies in transitions. Tuchel’s side excelled at quickly breaking behind defences with speed and precision.
Defensively, Chelsea operated in a mid-block and applied selective high pressing, with wing-backs dropping into a back five when out of possession.
The structure suited tournament football, where protecting a lead is paramount, and helped Tuchel build his reputation as a master of the knockout competition.
Benefits of Three Defense Formations
The three-man defence offers exceptional adaptability for modern football. It requires pace, positional awareness, and high technical ability, especially from centre-backs and wing-backs.
Managers increasingly favour versatile players who can perform multiple roles, which causes confusion for opponents and opens space in key areas.
As defensive setups improve, teams often rely on counterattacking strategies, and the back three system excels in transitioning quickly from defence to attack.
It also enables numerical superiority in key zones, allowing for control and dominance.
The Risks for Three Defense Formations
Despite its strengths, the three-man defence carries risks.
It demands high stamina levels, especially from wing-backs, who must contribute both defensively and offensively.
Older or less mobile players may struggle to meet the physical demands. If the wing-backs are weak defensively, central defenders can become overexposed.
Accurate passing is essential; without it, buildup play collapses. Center-backs must also be fast and comfortable in possession.
These factors have led some managers and fans to remain sceptical.
Still, as the old saying goes: Adapt or be left behind. The back three is no longer just a tactical curiosity. It’s a key feature of modern football’s evolution.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / PA Images
Recording Date: 16.10.2024