Fiorentina Football Formation

Starting Lineup

D. De Gea (43) · P. Comuzzo (15) · P. MARI' (18) · L. Ranieri (6) · Dodo (2) · R. Gosens (21) · N. FAGIOLI · R. Mandragora (8) · N. ZANIOLO (17) · A. Gudmundsson (10) · M. Kean (20)

Fiorentina looks to play with a heavy high press and quick verticality using a 3-4-3 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 use the width of the pitch to stretch the defence and create gaps in the middle for quick combinations.

In goal, D. De Gea acts as the last line of defence, capable of sweeping behind the high line when the team pushes up. The defensive unit operates with a back three consisting of P. Mari', P. Comuzzo, and L. Ranieri. Comuzzo and Ranieri act as the wide centre-backs, ready to cover the space when the wing backs push forward, while P. Mari' holds the line as a central figure. This back three works as a zonal line to defend the width and central areas, ensuring they do not get caught by long balls over the top.

The midfield functions as a pairing that connects the back three to the front three. N. Fagioli and R. Mandragora form the central core, where Fagioli looks to progress through the thirds with his passing range and Mandragora provides energy to win the second ball. They are supported by the wide players, Dodo on the right and R. Gosens on the left, who act as attacking wing backs. These players must track back to help the defence but also provide the width needed to spread the play.

Up front, Fiorentina utilizes three attackers to pin the opposition back line. M. Kean plays as the pressing centre-forward, tasked to hold up the ball and lead the line. A. Gudmundsson and N. Zaniolo operate as wide forwards, with Gudmundsson looking to cut inside from the left and Zaniolo driving from the right to create threats in the half-spaces. This front three works in combinations to find the feet of the striker or knock it in behind the defenders.

A major tactical advantage for Fiorentina is the ability to press high in coordinated waves, using the front three and the wing backs to swarm the ball. The formation also creates wide overloads from the overlapping runs of Dodo and R. Gosens, which forces the opposition to defend the flanks. This makes it difficult for opponents to maintain their defensive shape when the wing backs push high.

This 3-4-3 formation relies on intense pressing and quick transitions to dominate games. It is best suited for matches against teams that struggle to play out from the back under heavy pressure.