Atalanta Football Formation

Starting Lineup

M. Carnesecchi (29) · I. Hien (4) · G. Scalvini (42) · S. Kolasinac (23) · D. Zappacosta (77) · M. Ruggeri (22) · Ederson (13) · M. Brescianini · C. De Ketelaere (17) · A. Lookman (11) · M. Retegui (32)

Atalanta plays a high press focused game using a 3-5-2 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball back high up the pitch and strike quickly through vertical passes. The team seeks to squeeze the space in the opponent half to force mistakes and create chaos through constant movement and heavy pressure.

M. Carnesecchi stays behind a back three to sweep behind the line when the team pushes up. I. Hien acts as a right centre-back, using his strength to win headers and tackle aggressively. Beside him, S. Kolasinac and G. Scalvini form the rest of the central unit, with Scalvini often stepping into midfield to help progress the ball. The wing backs, M. Ruggeri and D. Zappacosta, provide the width for Atalanta, acting as attacking wing backs who cover the entire flank. They must track back to defend when the opponent has the ball but are expected to push high to support the attack.

A three man midfield works to control the central areas and provide energy. Ederson operates as a carrier in the midfield, using his ability to drive the ball forward and break lines. M. Brescianini works alongside him to help recycle possession and shield the back three. C. De Ketelaere plays as an attacking ten behind the two strikers, looking to find pockets of space and link the midfield to the front line. M. Ruggeri and D. Zappacosta link the defensive and attacking lines by providing constant width, ensuring the midfield can stay compact while still stretching the opposition defense.

The attack features two forwards in a partnership to pin the opposition defenders. A. Lookman plays as a striker who can also drift wide, using his pace and dribbling style to isolate defenders in one on one situations. M. Retegui acts as the other forward, working to find space in the box and hold up the ball to allow others to join the play. They press from the front to force long balls and prevent the opposition from playing out from the back. The movement between Lookman and Retegui creates runs in behind and allows for quick combinations in the final third.

This formation offers a significant advantage through its ability to press high in coordinated waves. By having a heavy presence in the middle of the pitch, the team can often create numerical superiority in the central zones. The wide overloads provided by Zappacosta and Ruggeri also force the opposition to defend much wider areas, opening gaps in the middle for De Ketelaere or the strikers to exploit.

Atalanta relies on intense pressing and quick transitions to dominate games. This lineup is best suited for matches against teams that struggle to play out from the back under heavy pressure.