When Conte came in 2011-14, he had 4-2-4 in mind but had to go with 3-5-2 mainly to protect Pirlo and to take advantage of the skills he and the squad possessed. Conte took a below average squad and organized a fierce team, look at that sorry bunch he had.. could max win serie A with that midfield? Pirlo would have been benched %100.
since conte, the quality of the players we signed went up, the quality of play has not. When you look at it max has had the same flat philosophy and style all along. Conte was the real problem solver not Allegri.
main/regular players of note
2011-12
Chielo, caceres,Boner, kelso,Barz, Licht
march, vidal,Pirlo (33), giach, krasic, padoin, giacherini
ADP (37) Vucinic, quag,matri Borielo
2012-2013( player addition per season)
pogba, isla, anelka, bendtner
2013-14
ogbonna, tevez, llorente
Allegri came in 2014 Inherited squad plus
Evra, sturaro,pereyra, Morata, coman
2015-16
Sandro, rugani, khedira, Hernanes, Lemina, zaza, cuadrado, mandzukic, DYBALA
2016-17
benatia, alves, pjanic, higuain, pjaca, kean
2017-18
szczesny, MDS, matuidi, bentancur, Costa, bernie
2018-19
important departure Buffon
in: cancelo,spinazola, can, CR7