Atlético Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Oblak (Moldovan) · Llorente (Molina) · Le normand (Azpilicueta) · Gimenez (Witsel) · Hancko/Hincapie (Reinildo) · Lino (Riquelme) · Koke (Barrios) · Gallagher (De Paul) · Alvarez (Lemar) · Griezmann (Giuliano) · Sørloth (Omorodion)

Atlético plays with a focus on a mid-block and quick transitions using a 3-4-3 formation. The lineup is built to stay compact and strike fast when the ball is won. This way of playing allows the team to sit deep and defend in a narrow block before they push forward with speed to catch opponents out.

Oblak guards the goal and provides shot stopping to maintain the back line. The defense works in a back three where Gimenez acts as the central defender to lead the line and win headers. Hancko or Hincapie plays on the left as a ball playing defender to help move the ball forward and play out from the back. Le Normand occupies the right side to cover the space and win the second ball. This defensive unit stays narrow to deny the turn to opponents and protect the central areas of the pitch.

The midfield uses a central pairing of Koke and Gallagher to control the center. Koke uses his passing range to recycle possession and find the feet of the striker. Gallagher uses his pressing intensity to win the ball high up the pitch and force a long ball. Llorente and Lino act as the wide midfielders to provide width. Llorente can carry the ball forward on the right while Lino pushes up to overlap the winger on the left. This group connects the defense to the attack by moving the ball through the thirds and breaking the line.

The front three consists of Alvarez, Griezmann, and Sørloth. Sørloth works as a target man to hold up the ball and win headers in the box. Griezmann plays on the right but often cuts inside to create chances and play through the lines. Alvarez stays wide on the left to stretch the defence and look for runs in behind. The team looks to hit in behind on the transition by using the movement of these three players to split the defence with a through ball or a cross from the byline.

One main advantage for Atlético is the ability to press high in coordinated waves when Gallagher and the front three trigger a press. The team also finds success through the ability to create wide overloads as Lino and Llorente push up to support the attackers. This formation creates space in the middle for the central players to combine in tight spaces and progress through the thirds.

This 3-4-3 formation makes Atlético a very difficult team to break down through the center. It is perfectly suited for facing teams that hold much of the ball and rely on high possession to find gaps.