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Torino Football Formation

Creation DateJune 15, 2024

Starting Lineup

Milinkovic-Savic · Schuurs · Buongiorno · Masina · Bellanova · Lazaro · Ricci · Vlasic · Ilic · Sanabria · Zapata

Torino relies on a high press and quick transitions through a 3-5-2 formation. This lineup is built to squeeze the space in the middle and win the ball back high up the pitch to catch opponents out of position. The team seeks to control the game by dominating the central areas and using wide players to stretch the pitch during attacks.

Milinkovic-Savic guards the goal as the last line of defense. The back three consists of Schuurs, Buongiorno, and Masina. Buongiorno acts as the central anchor, using his aerial strength to win headers and organize the line. Schuurs plays as the right centre-back to cover the wide areas, while Masina operates on the left. This defensive unit works to hold the line and step up to trigger a press when the opposition tries to play out from the back.

The midfield functions as a five man unit with a central core of Ricci, Vlasic, and Ilic. Ricci sits in front of the defense to shield the back three and win the second ball. Vlasic and Ilic act as the engines, driving forward to carry the ball into the half spaces and connect the lines. Lazaro and Bellanova provide the width, acting as wing backs who push high to support the attack and track back to help the defense when the team is out of possession.

In the final third, Torino utilizes two forwards in a partnership. Zapata acts as the target man, using his physical presence to hold up the ball and win aerial duels. Sanabria plays alongside him, looking to find the feet of the striker or make runs in behind the defense. The wing backs, Lazaro and Bellanova, provide much of the width, looking to deliver crosses from the byline or cut back the ball for the late runners.

One major advantage for Torino is the numerical superiority in the midfield, which allows them to compress the center of the pitch. The wing backs also create wide overloads, often doubling up with the midfielders to isolate wide players in one on one situations. This makes the team very difficult to break down in a mid-block while staying dangerous on the break.

Torino uses this 3-5-2 to control the tempo through central dominance and aggressive pressing. This formation is best suited for games against teams that try to play short from the back and struggle with physical strikers.