Goalkeeper in midfield, only two defenders: Thiago Motta's 2-7-2 formation is the future of football

Four at the back? That's kids' stuff. Having retired at the end of last season, Thiago Motta is currently employed as coach of the Paris Saint-Germain under-19 side, where he is charged with nurturing the club's stars of tomorrow. In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport this week, the former Italy international was quizzed about his transition into management, and on the kind of tactical philosophy he has adopted as a coach. Perhaps unsurprisingly as a former defensive midfielder, he admits he favours a "compact team" with a good...