Italy National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Mancini · Bastoni · Darmian · Di Lorenzo · Fagioli · Barella · Cristante · Scamacca · Chiesa · El Shaarawy · Donnarumma

Italy aims to play a high press and rapid transition style of football to dominate games. This is implemented through a 5-2-3 formation that prioritizes winning the ball back high up the pitch. The lineup focuses on being defensively solid while staying ready to break quickly once possession is regained.

Donnarumma operates as the goalkeeper to manage the defensive area. The back line is a back five where Fagioli acts as the central defender. Mancini and Bastoni sit on either side of him. Mancini provides cover as Bastoni can play out from the back to start build up play. Darmian and Di Lorenzo play as attacking wing backs. They provide the width in the attacking phase but must track back to maintain a narrow defensive block when the team sits deep.

The midfield uses a double pivot. Barella and Cristante work in the two central spots to link the defense and attack with intelligence. Barella is known for his high pressing intensity and ability to carry the ball forward. Cristante helps to shield the defense and win the second ball. They must compress the midfield to prevent opponents from playing through the lines.

In the attacking phase, the team uses three forwards. Scamacca acts as a pressing centre-forward to pin the last defender and harass the opposition. Chiesa and El Shaarawy play as wide attackers. Chiesa looks to cut inside and create chances, while El Shaarawy seeks to find space in the half spaces. The wingers look to receive the ball on the half-turn and deliver early crosses. Scamacca works to hold up the ball and lay it off to the runners coming from midfield.

One major advantage for the Azzurri is the ability to press high in coordinated waves with the front three. The overlapping runs from Darmian and Di Lorenzo create wide overloads that stretch the defence. Additionally, the presence of three central defenders ensures the team is difficult to break down when they drop into a low block.

This 5-2-3 formation creates a hard team to beat through its combination of defensive numbers and transition speed. It is ideally suited for games against ball playing teams that can be caught out by direct play or rapid counter attacks in the final third.