Empoli Football Formation

Starting Lineup

INGAGLIO/BIONDI (182 DX 07 /DX 182) · 6.IUCULANO (182 DX 06) · 4.MAZZEO (185 SX 07) · 5.TORO G. (180 DX 08) · 2. MARCHESE (177 DX 08) · 3.ACCIARRITO (177 SX 06) · 10.BIONDI (180 DX) · 7.RAPISARDA (185 SX 07) · 8. TORO A. (DX 178 08) · 9.CARUSO (177 DX) · 11.DANESE/CORSARO (177 DX 07/182 DX 07)

Empoli aim to play with a heavy high press and a very vertical game, utilizing 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 in transition. The team relies on intensity to disrupt the opposition and move the ball forward as quickly as possible once possession is regained.

In goal, INGAGLIO/BIONDI acts as the last line of defense to organize the unit. The defensive line works as a back three with MAZZEO acting as the left centre-back, IUCULANO in the middle, and TORO G. on the right. These three defenders maintain a high line to keep the team compact. They focus on intercepting passes and covering for the midfield when runners break through. The back three must be ready to step up to set the offside trap or drop back to defend long balls.

The midfield is packed to control the center and the wide areas through a three-man midfield with a carrier and two central players. BIONDI sits as the single pivot to shield the defense and recycle possession. RAPISARDA and TORO A. operate as the central engines, with RAPISARDA driving forward with the ball while TORO A. helps to secure the middle. On the flanks, ACCIARRITO and MARCHESE provide width as wide midfielders who can push up to support the attack. DANESE/CORSARO plays as the attacking ten behind the striker, looking to play through the lines and find space between the opposition lines.

The attacking side of the formation relies on a lone striker, CARUSO, who acts as a pressing centre-forward to harass the opposition back line. CARUSO works to hold up the ball and link up play with the players arriving late into the box. The wide players, ACCIARRITO and MARCHESE, stretch the defense by staying wide, while DANESE/CORSARO looks to operate in the pockets to feed the striker. This setup creates constant movement, with the midfielders looking to arrive late into the box to support CARUSO.

One major advantage for Empoli is the numerical superiority in the middle of the pitch, making it very hard for opponents to play through the center. The ability to press high in coordinated waves allows the team to win the ball in dangerous areas. Furthermore, the wide midfielders and attacking ten create many combinations in tight spaces to break the lines of the opposition.

This formation is built for a high intensity game where winning the ball back high is the priority. It is best suited for facing teams that play a slow build up and struggle with physical pressing.