Antonio Conte's Suspension Will Not Affect Juventus' Season

On Friday, Juventus manager Antonio Conte was suspended for 10 months by FIGC, the Italian soccer federation, for allegedly failing to report his knowing that his players were planning on fixing the results of at least two matches, while he was coaching Siena in Serie B two years ago.

I say allegedly for two reasons.  

First off, Conte is almost certain to appeal, so one cannot consider the case closed.  

Second, and more importantly, the FIGC proceedings have had the feeling of a kangaroo court, considering the fact that, unlike your typical systems of justice in democratic countries, Italian match-fixing proceedings have been running on the assumption that the accused are guilty until proven innocent, with the burden of proof on the defense.  

It's a system that's born out of the history of high-profile match-fixing that has plagued Italian soccer, but it doesn't make it any less defensible.

But this is not an article about the merits of the case against Conte—that will come another time, when the appeals are done and the case, at least in terms of it's procedures, is closed.  This article is about how the suspension will affect the bianconeri as they look to defend their Serie A title and make noise in their return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 2009-10 season.

To be brief, it won't.

At least not much.

Why is it that not having their manager for basically a full season won't be a detriment to the team?  Because quite frankly, the suspension Conte will be subject to is not all that severe.  While he be barred from pre- and post-match press conferences and from being on the touchline during the games, Conte is still free to train the team between matches and be involved in tactical planning before games.

Now, of course, it's something of a nuisance when the man who comes up with your tactics during the week can't be the one to execute it.  

Conte is an excellent touchline manager—he saved Juve several times last year through his in-game tactical and personnel changes.  

But the team's front office has confidence in assistant coach Massimo Carrero to be able to execute the gameplans concocted during the week and make the right moves to keep Juve steady.

It will hurt not having Conte on the sideline, but quite frankly, he does his best work where he will be allowed to operate—behind closed doors.

Conte proved to be a tactical master before last season after Juve's brass signed Andrea Pirlo on a free transfer over the advice of their new manager, who didn't believe the legendary pass master fit into his system.  But once Pirlo was in the fold, Conte rebuilt his system around him rather than shoe-horn him into a set of tactics that he wouldn't be suited for.

As the season began, it became clear that Juve was without a reliable left-back.  

Conte first experimented with shifting dominating center-back Giorgio Chiellini back to his original position on the left while using his other two quality center-backs, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci, in the middle.  

When that didn't work, he began a shift to a 3-5-2 formation, utilizing his three quality center-backs as a three-man line with his wings responsible for both pressing upfield and tracking back in defense.

At first, the new system crowded the midfield and didn't allow Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio, and Arturo Vidal as much room to operate.  After several unimpressive outings against provincial sides, Conte moved back to his old 4-3-3.  A few weeks later, after having worked out the kinks, he unleashed the 3-5-2 once again, and Juve went on an incredible run of form to pass AC Milan and win the title.

Not having Conte on the sideline and in the dressing room will be a nuisance to this team, but the terms of his suspension will allow him to make contributions to the team in the field that he excels at most—behind the scenes, working on tactics in training to make sure that the team that Carrero will take to the field is as polished as possible and ready to take on the best.  

The ban will be annoying, but it will not have any dramatic effect on the team as it goes through the season.