Atalanta Football Formation
Starting Lineup
1 Costil (47 Consigli)15 Felipe Santana (5 Zambrano)
4 Kaboul (2 Marcelo)
44 Kjaer (16 Evans)
26 Ebert (29 De Silvestri)
6 Blake (C) (25 Ruben Amorim)
21 Cigarini (19 Greco)
17 Carmona (7 Orellana)
23 Bruno Gama (24 Tettey)
11 Maxi Moralez (89 Marilungo)
20 Montero (97 Riviere)
Atalanta play a high press, vertical style of football using a 3-6-1 formation. This lineup is built to squeeze the pitch and win the ball back high up the pitch to catch opponents out of position. The goal is to control the center of the pitch and use quick transitions to exploit gaps in the opposition defensive line.
Costil acts as the last line of defense in goal. The defensive unit operates with a back three, where Kjaer plays as the left center back and Felipe Santana occupies the right center back spot. Kaboul sits in the middle of this trio. Kjaer is known for his aerial strength and ability to read the game, while the unit works together to maintain a high line and sweep behind whenever the opposition tries to play long.
The midfield is the engine of this Atalanta side, utilizing a crowded three man midfield with a carrier and multiple supporting roles. Blake, who is the captain (C), sits in the defensive midfield position to shield the back three and win the second ball. Cigarini and Carmona work alongside Ebert to control the tempo and link the defensive unit to the attack. This group is tasked to compress the midfield and ensure the team stays compact when the ball is lost.
In the final third, the team uses a lone striker in Montero to lead the press from the front. Bruno Gama and Maxi Moralez operate in the half spaces as attacking midfielders, providing creative support and looking to arrive late into the box. The attacking structure relies on the width provided by the movement of Bruno Gama and Maxi Moralez to pull defenders out of position. They look to play through the lines to find Montero, who can hold up the ball and wait for runners.
One major advantage of this formation is the ability to create numerical superiority in midfield, making it very difficult for opponents to pass through the center. Another strength is the ability to press high in coordinated waves, using the front three midfielders and the striker to force a long ball from the opposition. This high intensity makes it hard for teams to build play from the back.
This 3-6-1 formation focuses on aggressive pressing and central control to dominate matches. It is best suited for games against teams that try to play out from the back and struggle under high pressure.