Atalanta Football Formation

Starting Lineup

CARNESECCHI (Patricio/Rossi) · DE ROON (PASALIC/Sulemana) · EDERSON (Brescianini) · DJIMSITI (Kossounou/Godfrey) · HIEN (Toloi) · DE KETELAERE (Samardzic) · KOLASINAC (Scalvini) · LOOKMAN (Zaniolo) · BELLANOVA (Cuadrado/Palestra) · RUGGERI (ZAPPACOSTA) · RETEGUI (Scamacca/Vlahovic)

Atalanta operates with a high press and aggressive verticality through a 3-4-3 formation. This lineup focuses on winning the ball high up the pitch to immediately threaten the opposition. The team uses constant pressure to force turnovers and drive toward the goal as quickly as possible.

In goal, Carnesecchi acts as the foundation for the defensive unit. The back line uses a back three consisting of Hien, Djimsiti, and Kolasinac. Hien operates as the central defender to anchor the zone, while Djimsiti and Kolasinac provide cover on either side. This defensive group often plays a high line to squeeze the space in the middle of the pitch. They work together to intercept passes and ensure they stay compact when the team drops into a mid-block.

The midfield functions as a double pivot paired with energetic wing backs. De Roon sits deep to shield the defense and recycle possession, while Ederson acts as a carrier to drive the ball forward into the attacking half. Bellanova and Ruggeri provide the necessary width, playing as attacking wing backs who push high to support the front line. These wide players are essential to the Atalanta system as they overlap to create passing lanes and stretch the opposition.

Up front, the team utilizes three attackers to pin the last defender. Retegui acts as the pressing centre-forward to lead the hunt from the front. Lookman operates as an inverted winger on the left, looking to cut inside and create chances, while De Ketelaere plays on the right side to link play. This front line works in combinations to find gaps in the defense, often using quick runs in behind to exploit high lines. They press in pairs to force long balls from the opposition.

One major advantage of this formation is the ability to press high in coordinated waves, making it very difficult for opponents to build from the back. The team also creates wide overloads through the movement of Bellanova and Ruggeri, which pulls defenders out of position. By using the speed of transition, the side can turn a single interception into a scoring opportunity in seconds.

The 3-4-3 formation provides a relentless attacking presence that hunts for the ball in the opponent's half. This lineup is best suited for games against teams that try to play out from the back and struggle under intense pressure.