Roma Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Paredes (Esposito) · Le Fée (Bernabé) · Pellegrini (Baldanzi) · Dybala (Soulé) · Chiesa (El Shaarawy) · Abraham (Pinamonti) · Angeliño (Dahl) · Ndicka (Mawissa) · Mancini (Rugani) · Bellanova (Celik) · Svilar (Ryan)

Roma plays a high risk style of football designed to overwhelm the opposition with numbers in the attacking third through a 2-4-4 formation. This lineup prioritizes immediate pressure and verticality to catch the opponent before they can settle into a defensive block. By pushing so many players forward, the team aims to win the ball back high up the pitch and strike with sudden intensity.

Svilar operates between the posts to manage the high line. In front of him, the defensive unit relies on a narrow pair of central defenders where Mancini and Ndicka must defend large spaces. Mancini acts as the dominant presence in the air while Ndicka provides cover to deal with runners. Because there are no traditional full backs in this formation, these two center backs must be able to defend one on one and hold the line against quick transitions.

The midfield works in a central block to control the tempo and recycle possession. Paredes sits in a central role to shield the two center backs and act as a deep lying playmaker. To his sides, Bellanova and Angeliño operate as wide midfielders who provide the necessary width. Le Fée plays as an attacking ten behind the front line to connect the midfield to the attack. This group must press in pairs to prevent the opposition from playing through the middle.

The attacking front line is extremely aggressive with four players positioned to stretch the defence. Dybala and Chiesa operate as inverted wingers who cut inside to create chances or shoot. Pellegrini and Abraham work as a central partnership where Abraham can act as a target man to hold up the ball. This combination allows Roma to attack in combinations, using Pellegrini to find the feet of the striker or play through the lines to the wide players.

A major tactical advantage of this formation is the ability to create wide overloads and numerical superiority in the final third. By having Bellanova and Angeliño push high, they can overlap the wingers and pin the last defender of the opposition. The team also benefits from the ability to press high in coordinated waves, making it very difficult for opponents to build play from the back.

This 2-4-4 formation is built for teams that want to dictate play through relentless attacking pressure. It is best suited for matches where Roma can isolate wide players in one on one situations against a retreating defense.