Italy National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

G.Donnarumma (C) · G.Di Lorenzo · F.Dimarco · S.Tonali · N.Barella · D.Maldini · G.Raspadori · M.Retegui · R.Calafiori · A.Bastoni · F.Gatti

Italy seeks to control games through a high press and quick transitions using a 3-5-2. This formation builds a heavy central presence to squeeze the space in the middle of the pitch. The lineup relies on verticality to move the ball from the defensive third into the final third as fast as possible.

Gianluigi Donnarumma (C) stands between the posts to organize the back line and command his area. A back three of Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Gatti, and Riccardo Calafiori provides a solid base. Bastoni acts as a ball playing defender to initiate play from the back, while Gatti is dominant in the air to win the second ball. Calafiori provides cover to defend the space behind the wing backs. The defensive unit works as a single block to deny the turn to opposition attackers.

The midfield functions with a three man midfield with a carrier to link the lines. Nicolò Barella drives forward with the ball to carry it into the half spaces, while Sandro Tonali sits deeper to shield the defence and recycle possession. Federico Dimarco and Giovanni Di Lorenzo operate as attacking wing backs to provide width. They push high to support the attack and then track back to maintain a compact shape. Davide Maldini plays as an attacking ten behind the strikers to find the feet of the attackers and connect the midfield to the front line.

Italy uses two forwards in a partnership to stretch the defence. Mateo Retegui acts as a pressing centre-forward to force a long ball from the opposition, whileामो Giacomo Raspadori plays as a second striker in the hole to link up play between the lines. The team attacks in combinations to create runs in behind. Dimarco and Di Lorenzo overlap the wingers to deliver crosses into the box. This movement allows Retegui and Raspadori to attack the near post or the far post during transitions.

This formation offers significant tactical advantages through numerical superiority in midfield. By using five players in the middle, Italy can compress the midfield and win it back high up the pitch. The presence of attacking wing backs allows for wide overloads, which can isolate wide players in one on one situations. The ability to shift from a back five to a back three during the transition helps the team maintain a compact shape when defending.

The 3-5-2 formation provides Italy with a strong central block and heavy width from the wing backs. It is best suited for games against opponents who struggle to handle high pressing and quick vertical play.