Thiago Motta Ready To Play 2-7-2 Formation After Being Named Genoa Manager

Thiago Motta wants to head into management with a completely different mindset in terms of tactics as he gets ready to take charge of his first game as Genoa manager.

The 37-year-old, who was named I Rossoblu boss after Aurelio Andreazzoli was sacked on Tuesday, revealed last year that he's keen on playing a 'super offensive' 2-7-2 formation.

Motta, who managed Paris Saint-Germain under 19's after hanging up his boots, has now decided to take his first senior management role as speculation builds as to whether he will employ the tactic.

in a brilliant interview last year, the Italian says he wants to revolutionise the game by using a 'short' team who 'control the game with high pressure and a lot of movement with and without the ball.'

He also wants the goalkeeper to count as a midfielder.

The former PSG midfielder explained his tactics while talking to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport.

"My idea it to play offensively. A short team that controls the game, high pressure and a lot of movement with and without the ball," he said.

"I want the player that has the ball to always have three or four solutions and two teammates close by to help. The difficulty in football is, often to do things simply but to control the base, pass and get free.

Image: TIFO Football/YouTube

"I don't like the numbers of the field because they trick you. You can be super offensive with a 5-3-2 and defensive in a 4-3-3.

"Depending on the quality of the guys. I had a game a while ago where the two full-backs ended up playing as the 9 and 10. But that doesn't mean I don't like people like Samuel and Chiellini, born defenders."

Later in the interview, journalist Andrea di Caro asked if he was talking about a 2-7-2 formation:

"No, the goalkeeper counts as one of the midfield seven. For me, the attacker is the first defender and the goalkeeper is the first attacker. The goalkeeper starts the play, with his feet and the attackers are the first to put pressure to recover the ball."

Motta went on to say that his goal is to manage the Paris Saint-Germain first team, but he is now set to take charge of his first Genoa game against Brescia on Saturday.

Topics: Football News, Football, Serie A, genoa

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

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