Cremonese Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Boris Radunović · Federico Dimarco · Leonardo Spinazzola · Federico Gatti · Nicolò Barella · Scott McTominay · Marten de Roon · Samuele Ricci · Romelu Lukaku · Ademola Lookman · Francesco Pio Esposito

Cremonese seeks to play a high press with a vertical identity, utilizing a 3-4-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and break quickly against the opposition. The team relies on intense pressure and direct movements to overwhelm the opponent in their own half.

Boris Radunović stays between the posts to command his area. The defensive unit operates with a back three, where Federico Dimarco acts as the left centre-back, providing left-footed passing range. Leonardo Spinazzola plays as the right centre-back, while Federico Gatti occupies the central spot to dominate in the air and win headers. This back line often steps up to squeeze the space, relying on the defenders to pick up runners as the team pushes forward.

The midfield features a three-man midfield with a carrier and a holding presence. Marten de Roon acts as the single pivot to shield the defence and recycle possession. Beside him, Nicolò Barella and Samuele Ricci operate in the half-spaces to connect the lines, with Barella using his pressing intensity to disrupt play. Scott McTominay plays as an advanced midfielder to arrive late into the box and provide power in the middle. This group works to compress the midfield and win the second ball to transition into attack.

Cremonese uses three attackers across the front to stretch the defence. Francesco Pio Esposito acts as a pressing centre-forward to pin the last defender, while Ademola Lookman and Romelu Lukaku play as wide attackers. Lookman plays on the left to cut inside and threaten the goal, while Lukaku occupies the right side to hold up the ball and provide a physical presence. The forwards press from the front to force a long ball, creating chances for the midfield to win possession and hit in behind on the transition.

This formation offers significant tactical advantages, specifically the ability to press high in coordinated waves. The presence of Barella and McTominay provides a heavy physical presence to win duels in the center. Cremonese also benefits from the width provided by the front three, which can isolate wide players in one on one situations once the ball is moved quickly.

The 3-4-3 formation relies on high energy and aggressive pressing to dictate the tempo. It is best suited for games where the team needs to overwhelm a defensively minded opponent through sheer intensity and verticality.